– as distributed via the CIES mailing list –

A Note from Steve Klees: December 10, Day of Action

Dear Colleague,

Seventy-five million children around the world will not attend primary school today, and another 225 million will never make it to secondary school.  These children will not receive the basic building blocks needed to fully participate in society because they are blocked from classrooms by obstacles like high schooling fees, long and unsafe distances to travel to the nearest school, and an insufficient number of teachers.

We have the opportunity to change this.

The solution:

In September 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama pledged to lead the world in creating and endowing with $2 billion a Global Fund for Education.  A Global Fund for Education would ensure that there are sufficient resources and the political resolve needed to put every child in school.  Education is one of the most cost effective investments the world can make to save lives, reduce poverty and foster long-term security.

On December 10th, Human Rights Day, the Global Campaign for Education is leading a National Day of Action where we are calling on President Obama to fulfill his pledge to fund a Global Fund for Education. Will you speak out for the 75 million children who have been left behind?

Click here (http://www.campaignforeducationusa.org/petition) to sign the petition to President Obama.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  This statement is especially powerful when one explores the impact that education plays in helping solve so many of the world’s problems.  Education saves lives, reduces poverty, and makes a safer world.

Join the thousands of people across the U.S. taking action on Human Rights Day

Sincerely,

Steve Klees
Former CIES President

http://www.campaignforeducationusa.org/petition