Author Archives: Andrew Johnston
Syria conflict takes a heavy toll on education
The conflict in Syria is causing severe damage to the education system, according to a new report by UNICEF on the country’s two-year crisis. Thousands of children are being kept out of school by the violence. Some have already missed … Continue reading
Posted in Aid, Arab States, Conflict, Out-of-school children
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How pre-school can transform children’s chances
Young children are ready to learn, but their early experiences are crucial in facilitating their learning. As we explain in our new policy paper on early childhood care and education, there is striking evidence that extending pre-school access to the … Continue reading
Youth jobs crisis pushes EU to address ‘skills mismatch’
Hard on the heels of Davos, where the “skills gap” was the subject of several sessions, the European summit on Monday showed that high unemployment is concentrating EU leaders’ minds on improving training for young people – the focus of … Continue reading
At Davos, the ‘skills gap’ is on the guest list
As the world’s movers and shakers head to Davos, Switzerland, this week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the International Labour Organization has issued a gloomy report on employment – just in time to focus minds at … Continue reading
Posted in Economic growth, Employment, Equality, Governance, Marginalization, Skills, Training
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Education rises – slowly – from Haiti’s rubble
As Haiti struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake two years ago, rebuilding education is a major priority – and a small bright light, of sorts. According to Nigel Fisher, the UN secretary-general’s Deputy Special Representative for Haiti, there are … Continue reading
EU review says need for skills is urgent
Another strong argument for the importance of developing young people’s skills –the subject of the forthcoming 2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report – comes from a new review by the European Commission, which warns that the recession has made … Continue reading
Skills are the key to fighting inequality, OECD says
A new report from the OECD argues that focusing on skills – the subject of the forthcoming 2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report – is essential to combat rising wage inequality, which traps many people, especially the young and the … Continue reading
How do we gauge global progress on skills?
Français | Español One of the challenges when setting targets like the Education for All goals (which the international community aims to reach by 2015) is knowing when you’ve actually reached them. It’s a particularly tough call with EFA goal 3, … Continue reading
Education in Somalia needs help urgently, agencies say
A group of 14 agencies and non-government organizations led by UNICEF and Save the Children has exposed the devastating effect of conflict, drought and famine on education in Somalia. Urgent action and funding is needed to prevent the situation worsening … Continue reading
When we talk about youth, we need to talk about skills
Français | Español When the United Nations kicked off a year celebrating youth empowerment 12 months ago, no one could have predicted that young people would soon rise up across the Arab world, overthrowing leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. The leaders of … Continue reading
