United for A World at School in 2013:  our top 5 moments of the year

When we started in April, we never could have imagined that eight months later we would build partnerships with over 250 organisations working to create A World at School.  Here are the Top 5 moments that inspired us in 2013.

WHEN MALALA SPOKE

In her first public appearance since being shot by the Taliban in Pakistan, Malala, poised and armed with books, pens, and powerful words, captured the attention of global leaders and stood up for the right to an education. Over 500 youth from 100 countries gathered at the UN and millions watched as Malala helped lead the way in the fight to get 57 million into school by 2015.

#MalalaDay sure tops our list and we’re so excited that it was also featured in top moments on Twitter, Buzzfeed’s Quotes that Defined 2013, Google’s Zeitgeist video and The Guardian’s Women of 2013– and many more.

WHEN 1 MILLION CHILDREN DEMANDED THEIR RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION

Baela Jamil of Right to Education (RTE) presented Pakistani Ambassador, Sherry Rehman, with over 1 million signatures from out of school children of Pakistan at A World at School’s first ever event held in Washington, DC during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.  Many signatures were just thumbprints of out of school children demanding their right to learn to read and write.

WHEN WE STOOD UP FOR SYRIA

With over 1 million refugee children forced to leave their homes in Syria, there’s an entire generation whose future may be lost without the opportunity to continue learning. We put forward a solution for world leaders to consider at the UN General Assembly and formed a Youth Crisis Committee to mobilize the public.

WHEN FRIENDS REUNITED

On the fateful bus ride when Malala was shot, sitting next to her were two friends, Shazia and Kainat.  Both faced injury, trauma, and a disruption to their schooling after horrific incident. The three girls were finally reunited in October.

WHEN WE HONOURED MANDELA

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” On Human Rights Day, the day of Mandela’s memorial service, we joined Girl Rising and Global Education First on Twitter to discuss the importance of girls’ education.  We also hosted our first Google Hangout with youth from over 30 countries joining together simultaneously to reflect on Mandela’s vision and our journey ahead to create A World at School.