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• ‘Education: creating opportunity, realising potential’ - Commonwealth Day 2005 Statement by Secretary-General Don McKinnon

‘Education: creating opportunity, realising potential’ - Commonwealth Day 2005 Statement by Secretary-General Don McKinnon

10 March 2005

This year Commonwealth Day is on 14 March. The theme is: ‘Education: creating opportunity, realising potential.’ Education is the master key that unlocks human potential in every sphere of life. It is a force for good in the world, and a powerful tool for economic growth and social progress.

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2005 is 'Education: creating opportunity, realising potential'

It is a human right; not a privilege. That is why we, in the Commonwealth, are committed to broadening educational opportunities for all Commonwealth citizens.

Our responsibility in this regard is huge: every day, 75 million children in the Commonwealth do not go to school, because they have no school to go to or no teacher to teach them. It is a tragic fact that 'education for all' still remains a privilege for the few. And yet, education is crucial to addressing some of the biggest challenges the world is facing today.

If we are serious about fighting global poverty, we must provide people with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to improve their job prospects and contribute to the growth of their country's economy. No society has ever achieved economic development without investing in education.

The Commonwealth is dedicated to achieving universal primary education, eliminating gender inequalities, and supporting education in difficult circumstances. In the face of the devastation caused by disease and ill health, including malaria and HIV/AIDS, education is still the surest and most effective weapon. It can save more lives than any physician can.
Similarly, inequalities between men and women can only be successfully addressed through a commitment to give every girl and boy the best possible start in life.

To create a more stable and secure world - a world free of discrimination and hatred, we must start by ensuring every child is raised and educated in a spirit of tolerance, understanding and respect for others.

We, in the Commonwealth Secretariat, are taking concrete steps towards these goals. We provide advice to member governments in their efforts to broaden access to education and improve retention and achievement in schools. We also work with governments to develop policies, strategies and practices to promote new methods of teaching that will engage students and promote their creativity.

Last year, Commonwealth Education Ministers adopted a Protocol to help them manage the international recruitment of teachers, an issue of great concern. We also work with the Commonwealth of Learning, the Centre for Commonwealth Education and civil society partners to help improve standards and disseminate best practice within the Commonwealth family.

The Commonwealth is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals, which include achieving universal primary education by the year 2015.  I passionately believe that until we have achieved this goal, our work will not be done. Today, we must renew our shared commitment to improve the prospects of young people throughout the Commonwealth.  Education brings more than knowledge. It also gives people the power to change their lives, to contribute positively to the future of their communities and to improve our world - today and tomorrow.