“UNESCO, a worldwide network (headquartered in Paris), advocates for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programs that attend to health, nutrition, security and learning and which provide for children's holistic development.” (UNESCO, 2011)  UNESCO looks to achieve the ultimate goal of inclusive quality education by ending all forms of discrimination and foster social cohesion.

Improving the quality of education is a global issue. UNESCO supports the idea that education is a universal human right for both boys and girls.  It is a key for empowerment.  Gender discrimination still persists across all educational levels worldwide.  In 2000, governments pledged to addressing this gap and achieving gender equality in education by 2015.  The 2011 Global Action Week will take place from 2 to 8 May. This year, the campaign will focus on the theme of "Girls' and Women's Education", a UNESCO priority.  Unfortunately challenges still remain getting all girls into school. These challenges include advocacy, legal necessities, programs and trainings for teachers, literacy and lifelong learning.  The benefits to advocating equality for females and female education have very high returns on human development.  Educated women are more likely to:

·         Resist violence

·         Delay marriage

·         Have access to prenatal care and better medical care

·         Improve their children’s health

·         Be Advocates for Early Childhood Education – send their children to school

UNESCO is committed to STRENGTHENING EDUCATION SYSTEMS

·         ACCESS – Benefits to all children especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds

·         QUALITY – A holistic approach which promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness.

·         INVESTMENT – Greatest challenge of their movement is funding and resources.

Resource

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/. Retrieved on April 15, 2011.