They said it in 2017 … inspiring quotes about quality education for every child

Quotes Of The Year Mohamad Al Jounde Gets International Childrens Peace Prize From Malala Yousafzai
Mohamad Al Jounde receives the International Children's Peace Prize from Malala Yousafzai (KidsRights)

Barriers to education, Children in conflicts, Discrimination of marginalised children, Early childhood development, Education funding, Education in emergencies, Girls' education, Right to education, Teachers and learning

Getting every child in the world into school and learning is a huge challenge - especially with ongoing conflicts, refugee crises and natural disasters. Here are some of 2017's most memorable quotes about the struggle to give every child an education and protect them from harm.


This is not just about teaching reading and writing but giving young refugees a safe space to express themselves. Teenage Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Jounde, who set up a school in Lebanon and won the International Children's Peace Prize
Learning should never be a dull task to complete but the greatest adventure to enjoy. Elisa Guerra, Mexican mother, school founder and renowned educator
Quotes Of The Year Elisa Guerra 2

(Elisa Guerra)

Working together, we can make the world a great deal better for boys and girls currently deprived of a chance of a decent education‎ - which is the cornerstone of everything else in life. Mark Lowcock, head of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Quotes Of The Year Ocha Chief Mark Lowcock
It’s unacceptable that more than half of the world’s 1.6 billion young people will never have been to school by the year 2030 if we continue as we are. I’m telling the world about an opportunity to change that - and the future of the world’s children. Singer and education campaigner Shakira
Quotes Of The Year Shakira Unicef School

(UNICEF)

This is a victory over all the challenges that we face. We refuse to be any less than any other people in the world. It's a message to all students - don't you ever give up. Don't you ever break. Palestinian student Afaf Raed Sharif after winning Arab Reading Challenge
Quotes Of The Year Afaf Sharif Wins Arab Reading Challenge
Together, we can build a learning generation by 2030. We must invest in young people around the world. Education is the best investment available. Knowledge is key to the wellbeing of people and the planet. Erna Solberg, Norwegian Prime Minister and Education Commission co-chair
Quotes Of The Year Erna Solberg Shakira And Gordon Brown At Global Citizen Festival

Pictured, far left, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at the handover of campaign signatures on the eve of the G20 summit in Germany

My wish is that, one day, formal education will pay attention to the education of the heart, teaching love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, mindfulness, tolerance and peace. Dalai Lama
Quotes Of The Year Dalai Lama 1 170912 165136

(Dalai Lama)

Let us commit to quality education for all of the world’s children. Financing education is the best investment we can make for a better world. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General
I will make education my priority. Audrey Azoulay, new UNESCO Director-General
Quotes Of The Year Audrey Azoulay
Education gave me the strength to carry on. I wouldn’t be here without it. Syrian refugee and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Muzoon Almellehan
Quotes Of The Year Syrian Refugee And Education Activist Muzoon Almellehan Meets Refugee Girls In Chad

(UNICEF / Sokhin)

Dr Osotimehin was bold and never afraid of a challenge and his strong leadership helped keep the health and rights of the world’s women and girls high on the global agenda. He understood that the world’s 1.8 billion young people are truly its greatest hope for the future. UN Population Fund tribute to Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, their late Executive Director
Quote Of The Year Babatunde Osotimehin New

(UNFPA)

As children, you should be in school holding pens, not guns. Training officer Wilma Madato to freed child soldiers in Philippines
Quote Of The Year Wilma Madato Child Soldiers Philippines

(United Nations)

The best response to violence is education so what can be better that building a school. Filipo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Filippo Grandi Aleppo 3

(Credit UNHCR / Bassam Diab)

When I grow up I want to become a teacher and go back to Aleppo and teach the children of Aleppo. Bana Alabed, seven-year-old Syrian girl who tweeted during the siege of Aleppo
Quote Of The Year Syrian Girl Bana Alabed Who Tweeted From Aleppo Picture Twitter@ Alabed Bana

(Twitter/@AlabedBana)

Education is the best way to defeat Boko Haram for good. Nigerian girl Tabita, who fled from the terrorist group to Cameroon

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