« Today, 263 million children and young people are out of school. Many more are held back due to poor schooling. Unless action is taken, 420 million children will not acquire basic skills by 2030, » said Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway. She added: “This means that millions of young people will lose out on opportunities to escape poverty, find a job and enjoy a decent life”.

Speaking at the opening of the World Forum for Democracy, the Prime Minister stressed that quality in learning, vocational training and education in emergencies and protracted crises, in particular for girls, is “the best investment for sustainable development”. “If you educate a girl, she will take charge of her life, educate her children, and help lift her community and propel her nation forward.”

“The mix of people here today is exactly the mix needed for democratic innovation, equality and sustainable development. Forging partnerships involving governments, civil society, the business sector and academia is how to get things done in the modern world,” the Prime Minister added.

Also co-chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, Ms Solberg reminded that quality education for all means equal opportunities for all. “Education is as important for equality as universal suffrage is for democracy. All education systems should promote global citizenship by teaching human rights, gender equality, peace and non-violence within and between nations,” she concluded.