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October 21st, 2014

Conservatives should answer Malala’s call

Conservatives have yet to pledge to the Global Partnership for Education following June replenishment conference

New Democrats renewed their call on the Canadian government to provide funding for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) replenishment.

“This year’s Nobel Peace Prize went in part to Malala Yousafzai, the world’s leading advocate for girls’ education. Malala and many civil society activists have asked the Government of Canada to make a significant pledge to the Global Partnership for Education. Now is the time to answer the call,” said NDP International Development critic Hélène Laverdière (Laurier - Sainte-Marie).

Laverdière expressed concern that Canada is lagging behind other countries on this issue. Unlike many other countries, Canada did not make a pledge at the June 2014 replenishment conference held in Brussels. Yet the Global Partnership for Education has a proven track record of success, helping 46 partner countries get nearly 22 million more children in school since 2003.

“Funding for global education would complement Canada’s approach to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health” said Laverdière, noting that “education has major secondary impacts on the health of women and children by reducing the number of preventable deaths.”