They said it in 2017 … inspiring quotes about quality education for every child
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Education gave me the strength to carry on. I wouldn’t be here without it. Syrian refugee and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Muzoon Almellehan
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
As children, you should be in school holding pens, not guns. Training officer Wilma Madato to freed child soldiers in Philippines
The best response to violence is education so what can be better that building a school. Filipo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
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
Education is the best way to defeat Boko Haram for good. Nigerian girl Tabita, who fled from the terrorist group to Cameroon
