I once wore high open heels with pink panter socks There was a party at school and the theme was 'pink' so i decided to put on those socks, no matter what

I have to admit that when i went to Kadir in feb, i did buy all sorts of new socks, just in pastel tints without prints

IF YOU CAN READ THIS THANK TO A TEACHER!

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A picture of the 'friends' in the art exhibition of world famous artist,
Olafur Eliasson in Denmark

Global Action Week 2005 - Send My Friend to School

What an amazing year! At least 5 million young people and education activists call on world leaders to 'Educate to End Poverty'

To all those who campaigned for free education in 2005 - Well done and thank you!

As a celebration of the worldwide campaigning activities, GCE has produced a book, a map and a film. They can be used in the classroom, at work, or in meetings to congratulate and inspire campaigners and to remind politicians and officials of their commitments to free quality education, and that the world is watching them.

THE BIG BOOK 2005

This book pulls together summaries, photos, "friends" and anecdotes from each country's campaign for education. It is a colourful, attractive book that sums up some of the amazing achievements of children and adults in campaigning and lobbying their governments.

We have dedicated the Big Book 2005 to Justice Egware, who was recently killed in an airplane crash in Nigeria. Justice was the Policy Advisor and coordinator of the GCE coalition in Nigeria: CSACEFA.

The Big Book has been broken down into smaller files for easier download. Please select the language of your choice:
ENGLISH: Introduction
Africa & Middle East
Americas
Asia & Oceania
Europe
Participants & Glossary
SPANISH: Introducion
Africa y Oriente Medio
Norteameric y America Latino
Asia & Oceania
Europa
Participation y Glossario
FRENCH: Introduction
Afrique & Moyen Orient
Amerique du Nord & Amerique Latine
Asia & Oceanie
Europe
Participants & Glossaire


The Map 2005

This map highlights some examples of the amazing global journey that so many "friends" took, from their home country, to the G8, to the Millennium +5 Summit.






The Film 2005

From footage of events all across the world, we have created a 7 minute long film - The Big Journey 2005. Click here to download.



What happened?

At least 3.5 million cut-out 'friends' were made during the action week…

Latest figures in from countries have boosted the number of cut-out 'friends' made to at least half a million 'friends' across the globe. With reports of an amazing 2 million 'friends' made in Cote d'Ivoire, 500,000 in the UK, 44,000 in Greece and 30,000 in Nepal, the global total has risen to over 3.5 million.

Young people have been heard…

At the highest level…

Young people have been able to deliver their 'friends' and meet to discuss their demands for more and better education in high places, including the Presidents and Prime Ministers of 12 countries and by thousands of parliamentarians in over 100 countries.

By politicians at all levels…

Meanwhile, Education Ministers, Finance Ministers and local politicians have been invited Back to School, with an estimated 3000 law-makers going Back to School, across the world.

Politicians have responded, by making pledges to act…

For example, in Mali, on the same day, 3 Presidents signed a pledge on a cut-out 'friend'. The Presidents of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso all signed a pledge on the back of cut-out 'friends' and re-affirmed their commitments to education. For more information click here and to view
pictures click here.

While in Ireland the Development Minister pledged to increase aid to education. In the Netherlands the Development Minister pledged to raise the issues to other rich country colleagues, and in Cambodia the Education Minister re-affirmed the government's commitment to achieving the education Millennium Development Goals.

For more information on what happened in countries visit the country updates page

Read more about the 'Friends' journey to the G8

Final leg of the "friends" big journey to the UN in New York.

On the eve of the UN World Summit, September 13, the Global Campaign for Education, with support from ActionAid International, put on a large campaign stunt that brought unprecedented media attention to the global need to provide education for all.

Throughout 2005, 5 million people around the world have showed their support for GCE by making 'friends' or 'buddies' - paper cut-out representations of children who are being denied an education. Throughout the year 'buddies' have met with Nelson Mandela, celebrities, and heads of state, including the G8 leaders. It was time for them to make it to the UN.

100,000 'friends' traveled from all corners of the world to journey through the streets of Manhattan before arriving at the UN. With the Statue of Liberty in the background, Rasheda Choudhury (GCE Board Member) and Kumi Naidoo (Global Call for Action Against Poverty) saw the buddies on their way. After speeches 'buddies' were loaded into a yellow School Bus. They were accompanied by Kimani Ng'ang'a - an Kenyan gentleman who made history when he enrolled at primary school aged 84. He took the first opportunity to receive an education, when school fees were dropped by the Kenyan government.

The school 'buddy' bus toured Manhattan's iconic sites, including the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park. Throughout the day Mr Kimani released 100 balloons - each representing a million children out of school. In Central Park, members of the public and the media were invited to play 'Girls Education - Snakes and Ladders', a giant board game that illustrates factors that help and hinder girls to go school. The journey ended at the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, where Mr Kimani was joined by Kailash Satyarthi and Suman, Rebecca and David, three liberated child labourers. These children had earlier given powerful testimony of the links between education and elimination of child labour at a speaker meeting organised by Global March on Child Labour. Together with US GCE campaigners, these children presented Nane Annan, wife of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with 'friends' from around the world.

The day received unprecedented media attention. Articles have appearded in over 100 papers around the world. TV and radio coverage includes broadcasts in Kenya, Italy, Japan and South Africa. Reuters, BBC and CNN all featured the 'buddies' journey with Mr Kimani, the world's oldest primary school student.

The Global Campaign for Education gives special thanks to ActionAid International who backed the event with substantial human and financial resources. We also thank UNAIDS, the UN Millennium Campaign, and the Global March on Child Labour for their collaboration and support in bringing together many elements of the day.

As a result, there are now thousands more people in the US, not to mention the rest of the world, who now know there are 100 million children out of school - and that it's a global responsibility to put this right.

Click to view pictures of the Buddies handover to the UN


IN THIS SECTION
2006 Action Week
Take Action
Downloads
Campaign Materials
Country Updates
Supporters
Photos
GAW Media Coverage
Media
Web Links
Previous Action Weeks
2005
What happened in 2005?
Photos of 'Friends' Launch 16th June
Picture gallery 2005
2004



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