iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app

Gordon Brown: Deprived Children's Education Needs Protecting

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 18/04/2012 09:20 Updated: 18/04/2012 14:49

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

Gordon Brown has condemned the international community for failing to protect the rights of children in countries ravaged by war to an education, calling the effects "devastating".

In a blog for The Huffington Post, the former Prime Minister launches a scathing attack on leading nations, accusing them of shying away from their responsibility.

Brown highlights the efforts of parents living conflict zones who make "extraordinary efforts" to sustain the hope which goes hand in hand with education - but adds they are unsupported.

"Sadly, the same cannot be said of the international community," he says, and cites South Sudan as the "latest country to demonstrate the inadequacy of the current aid architecture for education".

In this region, according to Brown, girls are more likely to die in childbirth than they are to make it through primary school. This is despite child death rates falling 20% since the peace agreement in 2005 which ended a brutal and bloody civil war.

Brown writes:

South Sudan's parents have demonstrated extraordinary resolve, innovation and ambition in attempting to get their children into school. Their efforts are inspiring and humbling in equal measure. Schools for their children was the most important demand of parents crossing as refugees from the old Sudan into the new South Sudanese state. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the international aid community.

He condemns those who argue putting the entirety of the region's children through school in the still-fragile climate is "unrealistic", and asks: "Where is the 'realism' in denying a whole generation of children the chance of an education that could transform their lives?"

In January, Brown called for the creation of a worldwide fund to combat what he describes as the "hidden and silent emergency in education". At the time, he claimed progress towards the United Nations' goal of universal primary education by 2015 had stalled and urged the developed world to reignite the drive to provide education worldwide.

2012-04-17-juba25.jpg
A boy listens to his teacher during a lesson at the improvised Hai Kugi School on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan. © UNESCO /M. Hofer (2011)

Brown's philosophy is ambitious but admirable: "When it comes to education. there should be no borders".

His new campaign, the aptly named Education without Borders, aims to support and deliver education for those children unfortunate enough to be trapped in conflict zones and forced to flee their homes.

"We need to stop viewing education as part of the collateral damage that comes with conflict," he concludes. "For children trapped in conflict, education can help to create a sense of normality and keep alive the hope of a better future.

"These children need our help -- and they need it now."

Check out the news of the day in pictures below:
Launch Slideshow
?
 HIDE THUMBNAILS
1 of 23
PLAY ALL
ADVERTISEMENT
FOLLOW UK EDUCATION

Gordon Brown has condemned the international community for failing to protect the rights of children in countries ravaged by war to an education, calling the effects "devastating". In a blog for Th...
Gordon Brown has condemned the international community for failing to protect the rights of children in countries ravaged by war to an education, calling the effects "devastating". In a blog for Th...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 23
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Raldor
33 Fans
13:38 on 19/04/2012
The worst Chancellor this country has ever had. Time he retired from public life altogether.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
Mickey Mouse 1
There are no lies or deceit on a chess board.
180 Fans
12:55 on 19/04/2012
Thank goodness the people of the UK were smart enough to vote him out at the last general election after Labour ran up the biggest government debt in history.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
Weejoethebakerboy
16 Fans
19:24 on 13/07/2012
Yes we were so smart we end up with the three stooges
Camamoron, Gideon, Cleggon , who are taking us further into debt each day that passes.
To remind you ,who are short of memory,G B saved our banks and our savings by re capitalising .Wonder what the stooges would have done under the same circumstances of a globalisation banking failure? Oh I know, blame labour..
Permalink  |
abelum
36 Fans
02:00 on 19/04/2012
Is Gordon Brown a distant cousin of Jimmy Carter,?
Jimmy Carter become a good friend of Africa, very influential in peace, played a crucial role in bringing down racial segregation in South Africa.
Worked on liberty and free election.
This will present a good playing field for political philosophers and thinkers on what makes the civilised world tick

People who wish to prosper in politiics already know which leaf to borrow.
Permalink  |
abelum
36 Fans
01:34 on 19/04/2012
There are things in Mrs Thacher and Tony Blair that are lacking in Gordon Brown.
The were both elected and re elected- good political longevity.
Gordon talked about Global economy too much, He was not invited to US for lucrative talks and lectures, He retreated into the wilkderness and and talks about third world poverty. Very much a man with little honour in his own country. Gordon Brown is of course a formidable academic.
Mrs Thatcher and Tony Blair on the other hand retired into a very comfortable llife more comfortable than when they were in office. Mrs Thatcher did not wish to take any international office and a house was already waiting for her in a trendy part of London with superior opulence. Tony blair was solemnly offered an international office which he accepted with grace.

There are many lessons to be learned from people seeking public offices in UK.

Politicians looking for good life in their retirement should learn from this.
Permalink  |
photo
1959greenarrow
21 Fans
 
17:41 on 18/04/2012
this is a man who know all about failier. An enelected pm who ruined this country
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ben Wilson
Might as well laugh while you still can.
318 Fans
 
17:27 on 18/04/2012
He should have married Mrs Jellyby from Bleak House.
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed.
Permalink  |Show replies(1)
king53
36 Fans
13:21 on 18/04/2012
I thought Mr Brown and Labour had brought most of the third world to Britain over the years.
Permalink  |
SecondTime
51 Fans
12:23 on 18/04/2012
What a scoundrel. He made a complete mess of his time as Prime Minister, and helped nearly wreck the UK in his time in government, and now he seeks some kind of rebirth and absolution by latching on to tragedies overseas and declaring that they are a bad thing.
Permalink  |
Arbroath1320
0 Fans
12:15 on 18/04/2012
Whoa! Right meds, wrong dose!

Who rattled his cage?

What EXACTLY was HE doing during the 13 years of Labouration?

I am surprised he actually found the time to write for the Huffington, after all isn't he too busy saving the world and flying all over the world to remind peole of this very fact!
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed.
Permalink  |Show replies(2)
photo
1959greenarrow
21 Fans
 
10:23 on 18/04/2012
and you gordon brown have failed the uk and its people . GOODBYE
Permalink  |
Blindstu
136 Fans
11:23 on 18/04/2012
Oh yes............absolutely correct......he thought he was the savior of the world whilst at the same time, neglecting the problems at home.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pepekitch
32 Fans
 
14:05 on 18/04/2012
It's a good article to be a tory today, NOT !!!!!!!!!
Permalink  |