New Year, Fresh Perspectives

Happy New Year and welcome to our January newsletter! We’re excited to start 2026 with a refreshed look and feel as we continue to share insights and updates that matter to you most. 

As we begin the year, one of the most pressing questions in global development, and particularly in global education, is what lies ahead for funding and policy. I was pleased to contribute to a recent Devex article, “Will the U.S. start funding global education again in 2026?”, which examines whether renewed U.S. investment in global education may be on the horizon. 

I encourage you to read the full article and join us in reflecting on what this moment could mean for the future of global education and how we can collectively prepare for and shape what comes next. 

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community. We look forward to sharing more updates, insights, and opportunities with you throughout the year. 

Sincerely,

Giulia McPherson
Executive Director

International Day of Education

The International Day of Education, observed each year on January 24, is a moment to reaffirm the global commitment to inclusive, quality learning for all and GCE‑US is marking the occasion with a series of collective advocacy efforts. On January 21, GCE‑US will host a panel discussion bringing together education leaders and advocates to explore current challenges, share solutions, and highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in global education. 

Beyond convening dialogue, GCE‑US is advancing policy action through ongoing work on a congressional resolution underscoring the United States’ role in supporting education worldwide. To strengthen collaboration across the movement, GCE‑US has also launched a dedicated webpage gathering International Day of Education events organized by members, creating a shared space to showcase activities, inspire participation, and celebrate progress.  

Global Classrooms Student Training

On December 2, GCE-US Program Director, Grace Rector, had the pleasure of leading an advocacy training with students participating in the UN Association National Capital Area’s Global Classrooms program. Grace introduced students to core advocacy skills and highlighted how these tools can be used in their daily lives to create meaningful change. 

Throughout the session, students shared thoughtful ideas for strengthening their school communities, from improving the efficiency of metal detectors to save time during arrival, to ensuring consistent access to toilet paper so students don’t face unnecessary obstacles during the school day. Their reflections demonstrated a growing ability to think critically about their surroundings while applying real advocacy strategies in practical, relevant ways. 

We were honored to work with these students and are inspired by their curiosity, leadership, and commitment to improving their communities. GCE-US looks forward to seeing how this next generation continues to grow as advocates for positive change. 

A Child's Notebook

A Child’s Notebook was founded on a simple belief: talent exists in every person and every community. Yet opportunities to develop that talent are not equally available. Education is one of the most powerful tools for unlocking this potential, breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality, and building a more just and thriving future. 

Since 2018, A Child’s Notebook has supported students in Southeast Asia, particularly in Laos, who face significant educational barriers due to poverty, geographic isolation, and ethnic marginalization. They intentionally partner with under-resourced communities that often lack access to the funding and networks available to larger organizations. 

Their Need-Based Scholarship Program creates pathways to education for students who might otherwise be forced to leave school. Launched in 2021 with just one partner school and 64 students, the program has grown substantially. Now entering its fifth year, it supports 738 students across 21 middle schools, four high schools, and a vocational college. 

Infrastructure is also central to the work of A Child’s Notebook. In close collaboration with villagers, teachers, and aligned with national education systems, they build schools, dormitories, bathrooms, kitchens, and provide water access at schools, tailoring each project to community needs. They also equip students with essential dorm supplies such as mattresses and blankets, as well as school supplies including pens and notebooks, ensuring they have what they need to learn and thrive. 

As a result, more than 90% of scholarship students continue their education, a critical outcome amid rising dropout rates. 

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