UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

12 July 2006 (UNESCO) - Following a two-day meeting in Moscow last week, the G8 education ministers have issued a joint statement outlining their objectives and plans of action. 

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education Peter Smith participated in the meeting, along with representatives from other international organizations.

The Ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals of universal primary completion and gender equality at all levels of education. They affirmed their objective of helping countries reach the goals of the Education for All (EFA) agenda and their support for UNESCO’s leadership in coordinating action to achieve the EFA goals.

They stated their commitment to helping to shape innovative societies by providing solid education and training foundations and investing in research, people and skills. They also stressed the need to use information and communication technologies as an educational tool and highlighted the importance of teacher training and status.

This meeting was preparatory to the G8 Summit of 15 – 17 July in St Petersburg, Russia, where education will be one of the key themes. UNESCO's Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, accompanied by Assistant Director-General for Education Peter Smith, will attend the Summit.