Resolution affirms bipartisan support for global education
On January 24, three U.S. Members of Congress announced the introduction of a new resolution which reinforces the United States’ commitment to ensuring quality and inclusive education for children and youth globally, particularly those in emergency and crisis settings.
On the International Day of Education, U.S. Members of Congress, Representatives Grace Meng, Mike Quigley and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bipartisan resolution affirming US support for access to education globally.
The resolution highlights how access to education is critical for reducing poverty, improving peace and security, and increasing economic prosperity. And calls for the U.S. Government to:
integrate education in all humanitarian response efforts, both bilateral and multilateral;
meet its commitments to international basic education through its annual budget requests;
use all means possible to promote access to quality and inclusive education for children and youth in emergency and crisis settings.
“Millions of children and youth around the world do not have access to quality education,” said Congresswoman Meng.
“It is imperative that the United States continues to make substantial investments in bilateral basic education as well as multilateral mechanisms like the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait, which are working to improve learning outcomes for the poorest and most marginalized children worldwide.”
“The global COVID-19 pandemic and international conflicts have demonstrated the ongoing need for U.S. leadership in prioritizing education access for all children and youth,” said IPNEd member, Representative Mike Quigley who cosponsored the resolution.
“As co-chair of the International Basic Education Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I have seen firsthand the need to protect global access to quality education. Education is the gateway to a successful future. Together, we can protect that future for generations around the globe.”
“We are delighted to have a Congressional resolution which so strongly aligns with the priorities of the International Parliamentary Network for Education,” said Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, IPNEd’s Executive Director.
“The U.S. has an important role to play in supporting educational progress, through its funding, its support for education in crisis settings and through its sharp focus on learning outcomes. This resolution underscores the importance of all these things and reinforces the political support in Congress for the Biden-Harris Administration to do more to realize these goals.”
“The Global Campaign for Education-US is also proud to support the Bipartisan Congressional Resolution Affirming the Role of the U.S. in Improving Access to Quality Education Globally,” said Jennifer Rigg, Executive Director of Global Campaign for Education-US.
“At a time when 617 million children are unable to read and complete basic math, the need for robust U.S. government support to bilateral education programs and multilateral partnerships, including the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait, is greater than ever. We applaud Representatives Meng, Fitzpatrick, and Quigley for their leadership, and urge the U.S. government to swiftly support this vital bipartisan resolution.”
