One Direction star Harry Styles says every child should be at school

Pop hearthrob Harry Styles has released a video in which he says he “wants to live in a world where every child can go to school”.

The One Direction star talks about the band’s visit to Ghana in 2013 with the British charity Comic Relief, when they went to a children’s hospital.

The action/1D initiative asks the British group’s fans to share pictures and videos about issues they care about deeply, such as education.

It is part of action/2015, a global citizens’ movement which is united by the idea that 2015 can be the year when the world sets the agenda to end extreme poverty, tackle inequality and climate change. The movement wants to compel world leaders to make ambitious commitments at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

One Direction visit Ghana in 2013 Picture: Comic Relief

That is when A World at School’s youth-led #UpForSchool Petition – which has gathered more than eight million signatures so far – will be handed over. It demands world leaders keep their promise to get every child into school without fear of danger or discrimination.

One Direction said: “Time and again our fans have shown how creative and powerful they can be when they unite and that’s why we want to all join together to speak out and hopefully make a real and lasting change to the world around us.

“Young people really do have the power to help end poverty, tackle inequality and to stop dangerous climate change. Now is the time for us to unite, take action and raise our voices to show that we care about the future of our planet.”

Fans can add their own photos and videos

Brendan Cox, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children – part of action/2015 – said: “One Direction is the biggest band in the world and by mobilising the millions of young people in their fanbase they’ll shine a light on to the most important issues of our time. UN processes are normally worthy but dull.

“We hope One Direction’s work will make this year’s key summits not only worthy but a matter of public excitement. Only with that public engagement will whatever is agreed actually get put into practice.

“This really can be the generation which changes the future for the better.”

You can make your voice heard to by signing the #UpForSchool Petition here.