Graduation Season

As we step into summer, we at GCE-US are taking a moment to celebrate an important season of transition - graduation! Across the country, students are donning caps and gowns, marking the culmination of years of dedication, growth, and learning. Whether graduating from high school, college, or another program, each milestone is a testament to perseverance and the power of education. 

We’re also reminded that education is not just a personal milestone - it's a fundamental right that should be accessible to every child. By advocating for policies that expand educational opportunities, supporting programs that bridge gaps, and fostering inclusive learning environments, we can help build a future where every child has the tools they need to thrive. 

Let’s carry this momentum forward, championing the power of education for all and celebrating not just those who graduate, but the promise of learning that should be available to every child, everywhere. 

Sincerely,

Giulia McPherson
Executive Director

PS - Read my take on the state of global education in Devex's story As education funding crumbles, the sector must ‘get its house in order'.

FY26 Dear Colleague Letters

The House and Senate recently finalized Dear Colleague letters in support of funding for International Basic Education in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs bill (House) and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill (Senate). 

The House letter garnered 111 signatures, and the Senate letter garnered 29 signatures. Thank you to Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for leading this effort!

Update: 2025 GCE-US Youth Advocates

GCE-US's 2025 Youth Advocates have been hard at work participating in training sessions on persuasive communication, personal storytelling, and advocacy basics. This year's cohort will take part in two more trainings on the whole child approach to foreign assistance and education policy before meeting with their representatives in July in Washington, D.C. 

Youth advocate Buse Arici shared, "This training boosted my confidence by showing me concrete tools for advocacy I hadn't considered before, like letter writing and social media campaigns. I felt particularly empowered during the role-playing exercise where I practiced speaking to a pretend audience, which made me realize I can effectively communicate my ideas." 

Youth advocate Imaani Haque has already put her training to use after learning “how to craft an effective call to action when meeting important change makers” and only a few days after the training, Imaani shared, “I used this skill successfully at an event. These insights directly encourage policymakers to reflect and take immediate action, which is essential to advocacy." 

In case you missed it, read more about our fantastic 2025 GCE-US Youth Advocate cohort below.

We recently partnered with GCE-US member Girls Learn International – a program of the Feminist Majority Foundation – to draw attention to the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan.

For nearly four years, the Taliban has imposed a regime of gender apartheid, issuing nearly 150 edicts that erase women and girls from public life including banning girls from attending school beyond the ages of 10 and 12. 

This is not just oppression. It is gender apartheid - and it must be named a crime against humanity. The UN, U.S., and nations committed to human rights and democracy must not recognize the Taliban. 

Join us in urging the United Nations to establish gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. Do not recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Increase humanitarian aid, and women must have an equal seat at every table shaping Afghanistan’s future. 

Member Spotlight: Educate the Children

Educate the Children (ETC) and local partner organization Save the Earth are committed to fostering the social and emotional as well as academic development of children in Nepal. To that end, they organize and support a variety of extracurricular activities that enrich Nepali students’ educational experiences.  

Working with 12 primary and secondary schools in rural Nepal, ETC operates a framework for various extracurricular activities including child clubs, run by students and teachers, athletic competitions, art workshops, quiz competitions, cultural events, and more.  

When ETC completes work in one geographic area and moves on to another, they maintain relationships with schools in the previous area and work with them on special projects as opportunities arise. One recent example was a joint project with Italian organization APS Calathea and a partner school from ETC’s 2002-2008 program cycle. Students participated in the two-week Ananda Project, whose engaging activities promoted inclusivity, mutual understanding, and an appreciation for diversity. 

Learn more below and follow ETC on Instagram @etc_nepal to learn more about and see photos of their impactful educational program activities in Nepal!

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