Mohamed Sidibay for Theirworld and Global Partnership for Education’s conference in Senegal,

Dear Mariela,

A few days ago, I asked you: what is the one question you want me to ask  world leaders?

It was a few hours before a key moment for the campaign to fund education – the Global Partnership for Education’s replenishment conference in Dakar, Senegal, where I was going to deliver the keynote speech.

And you were clear that the biggest question of the moment was: what will you do to turn the decline in education financing around and ensure that every child can realise their right to education?

To be honest, when I sent you that email, I was feeling a bit sceptical. For years aid to education has been stagnating or going down. I’ve spoken at big events before.

What was going to change this time? And why now?

But I discovered world leaders in Dakar shared your sense of urgency that we need to end the education crisis.

My conversations with President Macron of France, President Sall of Senegal, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Gambia Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang and World Bank President Jim Kim made me realise the tide is
turning.

And not just for their words: over $2 billion was pledged on the day in support of our vision.

Senegal shows that 2018 can be the year of revolution in education funding.  I’m not naive. The world’s children still need us to find more to support their skills, their dreams and their ambitions.

But my scepticism has been replaced with a cautious hope. Why? Because of the global movement of people like you and my fellow Global Youth Ambassadors, who have given our cause the urgency it requires. That children around the world deserve.

Together, we have shown we can make the difference.

Thanks for your support,

Mohamed.

[ https://act.theirworld.org/go/901?t=1005&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ]on Facebook – or [ https://act.theirworld.org/go/902?t=1006&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ]on Twitter.

More Info:

BBC World Service: their interview with my about the conference: [ http://act.theirworld.org/go/894?t=1008&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ]Education is the only constant

Their News: coverage of my speech: [ http://act.theirworld.org/go/865?t=1009&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ]Invest in education, former child soldier and inspirational activist tells world leaders

Their News: coverage of the conference as a whole: [ http://act.theirworld.org/go/895?t=1010&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ]2018 must be a year of revolution for education funding, global summit is
told;  [ http://act.theirworld.org/go/876?t=1011&akid=151%2E174962%2EOeuxYY ] Self-help pledge by developing countries to deliver education for their children