The Papal Legate speaks at the ECOSOC Geneva

(July 09, 2011) Education is, first of all, a fundamental right of the human person and the validity of all development policies is measured by their respect of the human right to education, said Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, at the 2011 High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council , held in Geneva on Wednesday. The theme of this Annual Ministerial Review, “Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education,” is of urgent importance to the overall achievement of integral human development well into the future of the human family. The Archbishop admitted that the international community has made significant progress in reducing the number of children without access to primary education. However, as of 2008, some 67.5 million children remained out of school, and according to the 2011 Global Monitoring Report, if the current trajectory is maintained, the international community will not be able to attain the goal of universal primary education by 2015. Among the Least Developed Countries, three countries report enrolment rates below 50 per-cent, and only 17 countries report rates above 80%. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development. It is to be noted is that some 28 million children not attending school live in countries affected by conflict. In view of continuing political violence, organised crime, exceptionally high murder rates or low-intensity conflicts the Pope called for a deeper commitment by the international community to peace, reconciliation and solidarity, and a positive influence on the enjoyment of the right to universal education. Openness to partnerships from civil society and the private sector can effectively contribute to the common objective when fairness in the sharing of resources is taken into account. It is the same concern that moves all stakeholders to action in our rapidly changing and interconnected world, to make children and young people the best hope for the future, concluded Archbishop Tomasi.