Washington, DC— Congresswoman Diane E. Watson has endorsed Save the Children’s new initiative to educate all children in war torn regions of the world.  Entitled “Rewrite the Future,” Save the Children is embarking on a campaign to provide at-risk children in war zones access to basic education. 

“Education is unquestionably the key to unlocking the future for young people around the world,” said Congresswoman Watson. “But for children and communities afflicted by war, education can serve an even more basic human need – that of protection.  For children in war zones, schools can and should be safe havens, and education can and should be the framework for providing security and stability.”

Congresswoman Watson’s complete remarks follow:

“Thank you for inviting me to take part in this event today.  I want to thank Save the Children for their work in introducing this new initiative, “Rewrite the Future.”  I want to thank my colleagues Nita Lowey, Don Payne, and Al Green for their work on making sure every child gets an education.  But I especially want to thank Damba Koroma for coming today to share her story.  It is because of the tenacity and character of young people like Damba that her family and community can have a better future.

“Education is unquestionably the key to unlocking the future for young people around the world.  Education is crucial for young people themselves, so they can achieve their full potential, provide for their families and themselves.  Education also helps build communities, by teaching shared values, by providing skills that improve living conditions, and by creating a trained workforce for economic growth.

“For these reasons, the international community made basic education a centerpiece of the Millennium Development Goals.  Specifically, the United States, along with every other member of the United Nations, has pledged to ensure that every child on earth has the opportunity to complete a full course of primary school education by 2015.  We have only nine years left to meet this goal, and I believe that our government in particular needs to redouble our efforts to make sure we can meet this deadline worldwide.

“But for children and communities afflicted by war, education can serve an even more basic human need—that of protection.  The future is at risk for any child, anywhere in the world, who lacks access to school.  But for Damba, and eight million young people like her, education is also about the present.  For children in war zones, schools can and should be safe havens, and education can and should be the framework for providing security and stability.  Having a school means more than just skills for the future.  It often also means personal safety and security.

“And that security extends beyond the student themself to benefit the community as a whole.  Where schools exist, communities are strengthened.  And when communities are strengthened, they can better resist the devastating impact of war, and can rebuild more quickly afterward.
 
“I am here today because I believe strongly that basic education is a fundamental part of protecting youth and communities in the midst of emergencies.  I look forward to working with my colleagues and Save the Children to ensure that my government—and all governments—acknowledge and support the role that education can play in safeguarding both the present and the future of young people like Damba.  Thank you.”