Press Conference and United Nations (November 5th 2015)
 
 

2015 presents a historic and unprecedented opportunity to bring the countries and citizens of the world together to decide and embark on new paths to improve the lives of people everywhere. It´s the time to take action, it´s time to global action.

The promotion of education is the most urgent requirement of our time. No nation can achieve prosperity unless it makes education one of its central concerns. No country has ever climbed the socioeconomic development ladder without steady investments in education.

"Education is the smartest, most sustainable investment a country can make."

If we look forward, In 1990, delegates from 155 countries, as well as representatives from some 150 governmental and non-governmental organizations, agreed at the World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien, Thailand to make education accessible to all children. Evenmore, the delegates adopted a World Declaration on Education for All, which included the statement:

"Learning begins at birth. This calls for early childhoodcare and initial education. These can be provided through arrangements involving families, communities or institutional programmes as appropriate." (Article 5)

A Framework for Action was developed to guide governments and their partners from civil society in creating national plans of action.
The past decades has provided more evidence that good quality early childhood care and education have a positive impact on the survival, growth, development and learning potential of children.

Based on the 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economics James J. Heckman researches: Invest in Early Childhood Education & Development: Reduce Deficits and Strengthen the Economy
A critical time to shape productivity is from birth to age five, when the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive and character skills necessary for success in school, health, career and life. Early childhood education fosters cognitive skills along with attentiveness, motivation, self-control and sociability—the character skills that turn knowledge into know-how and people into productive citizens.

Our economic future depends on providing the tools for upward mobility and building a highly educated, skilled workforce. Early childhood education is the most efficient way to accomplish these goals:

•Professor Heckman’s analysis of the Perry Preschool program shows a 7% to 10% per year return on investment based on increased school and career achievement as well as reduced costs in remedial education, health and criminal justice system expenditures.

•It is very likely that many other early childhood programs are equally effective. Analysts of the Chicago Child– Parent Center study estimated $48,000 in benefits to the public per child from a half-day public preschool for at-risk children. Participants at age 20 were estimated to be more likely to have finished high school—and were less likely to have been held back, need remedial help or have been arrested. The estimated return on investment was $7 for every dollar invested (National Institute for Early Childhood Education Research)

The earlier the investment, the greater the return on investment.

Many governments are taking this lesson to heart and have increased investments in the early years. But still there is a lot to do. In Latin america for example, On a per capita basis, for example, governments are spending three times more on children aged 6–11 than on those aged 0–5.

Sustainable development cannot be achieved by technological solutions, political regulation or financial instruments alone. We need to change the way we think and act. This requires quality education and learning for sustainable development at all levels and in all social contexts. And in this mission, teachers and -especially early childhood educators- has a capital roll.

"Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges." That is why we Appeal to Teachers, to make it possible. Because they are the ones who can make things happens. Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Let´s use it! Lets empower teachers to use this powerful weapon.

Video are available at: http://webtv.un.org/watch/launch-of-the-2016-peace-and-cooperation-school-award-press-conference/4598486090001

Pictures are available at: http://www.unmultimedia.org/s/photo/detail/652/0652302.html