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Action Week 2009 Global Action Week 2009 - The Big Read
On April 21st Queen Rania of Jordan joined other leading education advocates including Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Senior Advisor to the President Gayle Smith, Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury Gene Sperling, National Education Association Vice President Lily Eskelsen and American Federation of Teachers Vice President Francine Lawrence to launch the Big Read. This advocates were joined by over 100 key policy and political leaders for a roundtable discussion entitled "A Smart Response to Challenging Times: Educating Our Way to a Better Future" followed by a press conference which achieved widespread coverage including broadcasts on CNN, Reuters, NPR and many others. "This week, millions of children, teachers, adult learners, campaigners and parents around the world will call on global leaders to give every child, everywhere, a quality education," said Queen Rania. "Helping nations around the world educate their children sows the seeds for economic opportunity abroad and diminishes the risks of violence and instability. It also demonstrates the goodwill of the American people. As Chair of the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I will continue my work to bolster resources for basic education and ensure coordination among our diplomatic and development agencies," said The Honorable Nita M. Lowey (NY-18), Chairwoman of House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs." Queen Rania was also joined by two child advocates, Devli Kumari, a recently literate former child laborer from India and Jessica Murkowitz, an eighth grade student from Seattle and dozens of local students to sign the "Big Read." With support from ONE, NEA, AFT, Results, GAA and many other partners, over 50,000 Americans from all 50 states joined this call and signed the Big Read petition to President Obama, calling on him to keep his promise to ensure that all children have access to a quality basic education by making a US contribution of $2 billion to a Global Fund for Education. Advocates from over a dozen states then delivered the Big Read petition to President Obama and White House staff in advance of the G8 meetings on June 16th, the day of the African Child. |
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