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222 Million Dreams: a Case for Investment 2023-2026

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OUR CASE FOR INVESTMENT IS OUR CASE FOR HUMANITY

Investing in education means investing in humanity. Investing in those left furthest behind is a manifestation of profound humanity in response to absolute inhumanity.

Investing in education means investing in humanity. It means investing in a peaceful, prosperous future where everyone accesses their human rights, and we reach the sustainable development goals by 2030.

Investing in humanity means ensuring that no one is left behind and every child and young person affected by crises can access a quality education. Every girl and boy, whether caught in a violent conflict, climate disaster, or forced to flee their home, deserves the chance to pursue their dreams. These children suffer excruciating pain and loss, and they endure dispossession and trauma. Education is the key that unlocks the chain that traps them in disempowerment and loss of hope.

Our Case for Investment is an investment in these children and adolescents. It takes a laser focus on the 222 million young people living in the most crisis-affected countries and contexts across the globe. With a quality education, they will emerge empowered to realize their dreams, the dreams of their communities, countries and even the world. They will positively contribute to making the world more prosperous and humane. Without an education, the reverse will most likely impact us all.

Education Cannot Wait represents a proven model in reaching those left furthest behind. Every year, we exponentially increase the number of children and adolescents reached with an inclusive, child-centred, and holistic quality education. During the initial year or two, we reached close to one million children and youth a year. Last year, alone, we reached 3.7 million, bringing the total to 7 million girls and boys in less than five years of operations.

This is made possible because Education Cannot Wait – the United Nations Global Fund for Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises – is a pioneering fund focussed exclusively on delivering education as a development right in humanitarian contexts. It is possible because we are an inclusive platform for United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, host-governments, donor governments, private sector partners, communities, and affected teachers, youth and children themselves.

By working together through joint programming, we bring humanitarian and development actors together, supporting coordinated responses and investing in collective outcomes. We are designed for complex crises, which allows us to move with humanitarian speed to achieve development depth. Our investments are flexible, efficient, dynamic and deliver high impact where it is needed most. For just US$130, we can provide a child with three years of holistic education. This includes continuous access to education facilities, protection and psychosocial services, gender equality, teacher training, learning materials, school feeding, tests and exams showing advanced learning outcomes, early childhood education and an array of support that provides whole-of-child solutions to a whole-of-society problem.

As we set in motion our new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, we call on our partners worldwide to urgently mobilize a minimum of US$1.5 billion in additional resources to ensure 20 million children and young people affected by crises – including 12 million girls – receive a quality education over the next four years.

We know that investing in education generates tremendous return on investment. For every dollar invested in girls’ education, there will be US$2.80 in return. We also know that investing in education is an investment in peace, stability and prosperity. It’s an investment in stronger economies and an end to hunger and poverty.

Indeed, education is our investment in the future. It is our investment in the 21st Century and in all the generations to come. Education is an investment in humanity, theirs and our own.

"We call on our partners worldwide to urgently mobilize a minimum of US$1.5 billion in additional resources."

YASMINE SHERIF
DIRECTOR
EDUCATION CANNOT WAIT

ALICIA HERBERT
CHAIR, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
EDUCATION CANNOT WAIT