29 June 2010
The Minister for International Development, Stephen O’Brien today urged young people to join the global challenge to get 72 million children from developing countries into school.
Speaking at the Global Student Forum (GSF) conference, the Minister spoke about how the Department for International Development (DFID) helped 78,000 children from the Central African Republic who now go to temporary ‘bush schools’, after fleeing their homes following the country’s civil war.
GSF brought together more than 500 sixth form students from around England to discuss ways of fighting the problem of poverty in the world, giving them the tools to talk about development issues in their schools and communities.
The Minister offered some ways the students could get involved in local level campaigning. He said:
“Young people can play a crucial role in bringing about change. I have really enjoyed talking to the students today and it is encouraging to see that young people want to take action in their own communities”. “Students can sign up for the 1GOAL campaign, buy ethical products or tell their friends and families about development”. “The UK Government believes that education offers the best route out of poverty for those living in the world’s poorest countries. That’s why we support every effort to make the education of children across the world the lasting legacy of this World Cup”.
“Young people can play a crucial role in bringing about change. I have really enjoyed talking to the students today and it is encouraging to see that young people want to take action in their own communities”.
“Students can sign up for the 1GOAL campaign, buy ethical products or tell their friends and families about development”.
“The UK Government believes that education offers the best route out of poverty for those living in the world’s poorest countries. That’s why we support every effort to make the education of children across the world the lasting legacy of this World Cup”.
1. The mission of Global Student Forum is to enable school students to critically explore contemporary development issues; and their role as global citizens. In doing so we expect there will be changes in their knowledge, attitudes and actions; and that they will be empowered to work towards a more just and sustainable world for everyone.
2. GSF was started by educational charity Damaris Trust and is funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development. GSF is also sponsored by Christian Aid and Damaris Global Learning and World Vision.
3. More than 500 students attended the day at the Emmanuel Centre in London which had the theme of ‘education beats poverty’. The students heard from development practitioners, and campaigners and attended multimedia presentations, debates and workshops.
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