Education
Access to an education is generally accepted as fundamental human right to which all people are entitled. Despite this, 115 million kids worldwide are not able to attend primary school. Of this 115 million, 65 million are girls and 50 million are boys. Many barriers prevent young people from accessing education. These include poverty, conflict and war, political upheavals, cultural practices, discrimination, language barriers and lack of infrastructure or educational facilities.
However, when we speak of education what do we mean? Do we mean education based on formal 'western' delivery and content or is this issue more complex? How do we ensure that educational programs are developed as appropriate and protect traditional and indigenous culture. What impact has globalisation had on education - has it encouraged a shift towards a standardised curricula or can it be used to promote and value diversity?
Many delegates attending Oxfam IYP2004 have identified these issues (among others) as an area of serious concern. Coming together in Sydney during July they will discuss their strategies for change and share their experiences and knowledge in the crucial area of education for young people.
Some Words from Area Group 1
Education is a right, not a privilege, and covers a very broad spectrum of activity. Our group had 30 action partners, whose action plans covered issues as diverse as providing access to basic primary education for Romany children in the Czech republic; training young Nigerian women in computer skills; and changing attitudes of young people in the US about their role in the world, enabling them to become responsible global citizens.
The common theme that runs through all the action plans is that free, quality education empowers young people to participate more fully in society. For all, it means a better life and for many, it will encourage and enable them to take a more active role in their communities.
Together, we have discovered that action partners face many challenges, but one of the biggest is how to change people's attitudes. How do we convince our communities and our governments that education is a priority? How do we encourage young people to give their time and energy to helping others, both in their own countries and further afield?
The answers lie in networking, peace building, partnership, effective communications and technology, being prepared to take opportunities - and a lot of hard work!
Some Words from Area Group 2
For us education means many things. During the Parliament we saw the issue transcend diversities and boundaries, as well as expose the similarities between us.
Education is a basic right that all young people are entitled to. More than that, education is the basis for any change in the world. Education cuts across all areas of activism and plays an integral part in achieving sustainable development. In our view, education does not prepare us for life but rather it is life itself, because our learning never stops.
We are committed to building libraries in Afghanistan, keeping Indigenous young people in schools in Australia, empowering young women of Nigeria, and providing life skills programs for sex workers in China. We are committed to micro-finance cooperatives for rural youth and women in Cameroon and developing networks of activists in Mexico to increase youth participation in policy making processes.
We came to Sydney as individuals with our own ideas and plans for action. We leave Sydney stronger, having made these commitments to each other. We will face barriers at home, and while we may feel isolated, we will remember the faces of the people at OIYP, the networks… our friends. We will think of all those faces and take courage that we are not alone.
