Bono Joins Lowey, Clinton, Smith, and Bachus in Unveiling Education for All Act

Legislation Would Address Key National Security Priority by Providing Universal Basic Education by 2015

May 1, 2007 -- Washington, DC - U2 lead singer and co-founder of DATA (Debt, Aids, Trade, Africa), Bono, today joined Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) to launch the Education for All Act of 2007, which would provide $10 billion over the next five years to help developing countries meet the goal of universal basic education by 2015.

Funding from the bill would support activities to train teachers, build schools, develop effective curricula, increase access to school lunch and school health programs, and increase parent and community involvement in schools.

The 9/11 Commission recognized the importance of education and cited ensuring educational opportunity as essential to U.S. efforts to defeat global terrorism. According to the Commissioners, increasing educational access directly impacts U.S. national security because it contributes to global stability and prosperity.

At the World Economic Forum in 2000, the U.S. joined the international community in setting the goal of achieving universal education by 2015. This goal, in addition to eliminating gender disparity at all levels of education, is also part of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. At this point, however, at least 86 countries are unlikely to reach this target.

Today, at least 77 million children of primary school age, a majority of which are girls, are not in school. Worldwide, half of school-age children who start primary school drop out. Hundreds of millions more are denied a secondary school education.

"This legislation is the launching pad of what could be the next American moon-shot: universal primary education for the 77 million children around the world who aren't in school because they are too poor. This is a huge, brazen and incredibly smart idea at a time when many are questioning our values in the West, or whether we have any values at all," said Bono, co-founder of DATA. "Representatives Lowey and Bachus and Senators Clinton and Smith deserve thanks for the vision and leadership they have shown with this legislation. We'll do whatever we can to support their efforts to ensure this bill becomes law and will continue to push governments around the world on this issue."

"Education is not just a building block, but the cornerstone of free societies," Congresswoman Lowey said. "Unstable societies are a breeding ground for terrorists. In countries plagued by violence and strife, diseases like HIV/AIDS and Malaria, and poverty, education is an equalizing force. Today more than ever, education is a national security issue. It is the key to turning back the spiraling tide against fanaticism."

"Every child can learn. Every child can grow up to contribute to his or her family, community, and country. But today, not every child has that chance," said Senator Clinton. "We are introducing the Education for All Act because we have the capacity, responsibility, and opportunity to help. All it takes now is the will, and I believe with bipartisan support we can turn this bill into law and we can lead the world in meeting the goal of universal basic education."

"Access to an education for impoverished youngsters helps them gain success and stability," Senator Smith said. "Closing the school house door leaves them on the path to poverty and depravity. Americans want to help those in need, whether they are here at home or abroad. Better coordinating our efforts will improve our effectiveness."

"America is no longer isolated from countries halfway around the globe," said Congressman Bachus. "A painful lesson we all learned in the aftermath of 9-11 is how their instability and poverty can have profound negative economic and social implications for us. Today we are engaged in what is essentially a battle of ideas with our enemies. If we are to win this ideological confrontation, education is both our best defense and our best offense."

The Education for All Act is endorsed By: The ONE Campaign, The Basic Education Coalition, The Academy for Educational Development, Save the Children, DATA, The International Rescue Committee, World Learning, The Global AIDS Alliance, The U.S. Global Campaign for Education, RESULTS, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), The Center for Universal Education at the Council on Foreign Relations, DevTech Systems, Inc.

Source: Senator Hillary Clinton

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