Back to school in the U.S. is in full swing and, like so many across the country, we’re managing new schedules and routines for three children in our home. This time of year in particular reminds me that advocating for a quality education for children and youth is not just the right thing to do, it’s personal to so many of us. As I settle into my new role, I’m meeting with members across our coalition, as well as key partners and supporters, to learn more about the tremendous work our coalition represents. We want to amplify this work while at the same time continue to be vocal advocates for international basic education within the halls of Congress and across the U.S. Government. This edition of the GCE-US newsletter kicks off another busy month as we continue our U.S.-focused advocacy efforts and celebrate World Teachers’ Day (tomorrow, October 5) and International Day of the Girl (October 11). We hope you find this information helpful and look forward to continuing our work together! Giulia McPherson, Executive Director | |
You're Invited: Please Join Us for Our October Coalition Meeting! | |
The next hybrid GCE-US Coalition Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 17 from 3:00-4:15 p.m. ET in Washington, DC at the offices of InterAction. The meeting will include: - Discussion on the Pact for the Future featuring GCE Youth Representative Diana Ayala
- Preview of the 2024 Global Education Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil
- International Day of the Girl Celebration
- Latest on GCE-US's Advocacy Efforts
RSVP Here! | |
United Nations Summit of the Future | |
After a years-long process, the United Nations Summit of the Future took place in New York City on September 22 and resulted in the adoption of a Pact for the Future. This agreement underscores a renewed commitment to international cooperation and a strengthened multilateral system to address global challenges. It calls for bold action across critical areas such as sustainable development, peace and security, science and technology, digital cooperation, youth empowerment, and global governance reform—aiming to foster a more sustainable, peaceful, and equitable future for all. The GCE Global Secretariat engaged thoughtfully in this process, with support from GCE-US, and issued an official statement emphasizing its unwavering support for the inclusion of education as a cornerstone for creating a sustainable and just world. As GCE-US continues to monitor the deliberations and implementation of the Pact at the national level, we encourage ongoing advocacy efforts to ensure education is prioritized in future discussions and policies. | |
READ Reauthorization Act: GCE-US and partners are advocating for a vote on the READ Reauthorization Act in the full House of Representatives with a focus on outreach to Speaker Johnson's office. If you have any contacts in Louisiana who might want to help with our outreach, please contact Suzanne Berman at sberman@gce-us.org. FY25 Appropriations: GCE-US is circulating a community sign-on letter regarding the FY25 conference process. The letter asks for at least $922 million for the international basic education account (the amount allocated in the House's State and Foreign Operations bill, which is nearly $300 million higher than the Senate-allocated amount). Please review and sign-on to the letter here by Wednesday, October 9 at 5pm ET. FY26 Appropriations: On September 23, GCE-US sent its FY26 community sign-on letter to the Office of Management and Budget requesting at least $970 million for the international basic education account in the FY26 President's Budget Request. This amount aligns with FY23 enacted funding and includes $130 million for the Global Partnership for Education and $30.4 for Education Cannot Wait. The letter was signed by 29 organizations. Thank you to all who participated! Join the GCE-US Advocacy Committee: GCE-US has expanded its advocacy efforts and rebranded its twice monthly advocacy meeting as the GCE-US Advocacy Committee. Meetings take place every other Tuesday from 1:00-2:00pm ET (next meeting is on October 8). If you would like to join the committee, please contact Suzanne Berman at sberman@gce-us.org. | |
Have you seen a yellow Planet Aid donation bin in your community? Since 1997, Planet Aid has collected 2 billion pounds of used textiles to help protect the environment and provide financial support to expand locally-led development. But that’s not all! Planet Aid's Office of Global Partnerships supports the Humana People to People network of local partners to secure U.S. federal grant funding that supports education, health, agricultural sustainability, and climate programs. Funds raised through used clothing donations often provides essential, unrestricted funding to supplement U.S. grants. Learn more here! | |
