MDG 2 – ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION

It is important to emphasize  that all of the Millennium Development Goals are inter-connected, and that they are critical indicators of progress  toward development. Helping countries to achieve successful MDG outcomes will require leveraging new technologies and ways of doing business.
 
Goal 2 is one that readers on this platform understand and are working to promote successful outcomes in countries around the world. This goal hopes to realize the right of everyone to education by 2015 in all countries.

But I’m not pleased as I write, thinking back to the post-conflict situations I have worked, and whether ethnic dynamics will allow that to happen. Countries coming out of conflict certainly have a longer road to navigate.

How we empower our communities to accomplish in helping to promote equal access to education. Empowerment is what it is all about at grassroots levels from my perspective. Obviously, addressing root causes of the inequalities, disparities and diverse forms of exclusion and discrimination that affect children, teachers and staff is as good as any place to begin.

Coming back to Goal 2, incredible progress has been made since 2000 by almost 2/3 of the developing nations having already greatly eliminated gender disparity at primary education levels. Achieving the MDG education goal by 2015 at secondary levels is possible, but will take strong advocacy by people to build recognition and consensus in some countries.

Here in America, building understanding that it is in our interests to help people around the world unlock their potential so they can improve their own communities is an uphill struggle. I strongly urge reader to review the initial Obama Administration document describing the new US policy for development. (“ CELEBRATE, INNOVATE & SUSTAIN Toward 2015 and Beyond-The United States’ Strategy for Meeting the Millennium Development Goals September 2010 )

Human security policy-makers promote achieving progress requires the US to continue to help strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. However, it seems, the US will take efforts to target our assistance better. The US will work closely with countries that work with their citizens to develop programs aiming to achieve successful MDG outcomes, AND also budget their own funds at national, regional and local levels.

Removing barriers, outside and within education systems are required for providing access to educational and learning opportunities for all children. How many of us (through our individual or group efforts) are already actively supporting civil society to improve our school systems making education for all children available, accessible and affordable?