Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Wendy Kopp on Malala

Wendy Kopp an insightful article:

Instead of silencing her, Malala's attackers made her campaign global. Around the world, demographics still determine destiny because the most disadvantaged students are the least likely to receive a quality education – or any education at all. Today, education is more important than ever, yet some 57 million children have never set foot in school. In rich and poor countries alike, race, gender and family wealth predict whether children will get the education they need to be informed, contributing citizens.

Consider this: by 2030 India will provide a quarter of the world's workforce. Yet if current trends continue, 90 percent of today's students will not finish secondary school. Conflict and repression flourish wherever education does not. We all have a stake in reversing these trends.

Every movement needs an ignition point, and Malala was ours. The leaders of both the UN and the World Bank have made education their highest priority. Parents, students and business leaders in dozens of countries are demanding greater educational opportunity.

The fact that it came as a surprise when Malala was not named this year's Peace Prize winner is a testament to how far we've come.

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