Journeys to School, A Global Political Agenda

By Kanya D'Almeida Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 5 2013 (IPS) - Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke at a press conference at  the opening of the exhibit “Journeys to School,” a joint project by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), VEOLIA TRANSDEV and SIPA Press.  Carried out in December of 2012, eighteen photojournalists in over thirteen different countries were commissioned to capture the journeys of young children as they travelled to school.

Young girls travel to school by canoe. Credit: Theophile Trossat

Be it by boat or by foot, horseback or by bus, children often take treacherous paths to get to a classroom, with no exception for race, gender, nationality or location.  From Los Angeles to Calcutta, the desire for education remains the same.

“We are working for quality education; this exhibition captures the determination of girls and boys to get to school.  No matter the circumstances, no matter the challenge, this is the power of education.”  Ban said.

As the momentum for education grows, there are still limitations such as social norms and traditions, religious views and insecurity that often prevent achievement.  Thus when an opportunity to pursue  education is presented—usually comprised of a child having to travel for miles each day, or better yet, stay with a family closer to the school—the opportunity is seized.

With the commitment and due diligence of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, Chief Executive Officer of SIPA Press Olivier Megean and Chief Executive Officer of VEOLIA TRANSDEV Jean-Marc Janaillaac, the poignant stories shared in Journeys to School remain testaments of the immense work our international community has yet to do.

“Our message here is that education should be on the global political agenda.  We have to do everything possible to make it happen.  Despite all the differences, to pass a strong message to governments and to the international community to mobilize so that this becomes possible.” Bokova said.

Making safety and access a priority, the organizations and private companies alike hope to eradicate issues surrounding global education.  Using awareness and public discourse, policy makers, organizations and families are encouraged to participate in the discussion to put forth solutions that support every child’s right to education.