SAVE OUR FUTURE Impact Report

Phase I: August – October 2020

About the campaign

Save Our Future is a global movement of diverse voices uniting to amplify the voices of children and young people as they deliver a simple, yet powerful message amidst the COVID-19 crisis: Save Our Future. The campaign seeks to ensure that: all children and youth continue to learn during lockdowns through inclusive distance learning; every child and youth is supported to return to school when it’s safe to do so; and governments and donors invest in education now so we can build better, more inclusive, and resilient education systems for the future.

Save Our Future is led by a core hub of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa, the Asian Development Bank, BRAC, Education Above All, Education Cannot Wait, the Education Commission, the Education Outcomes Fund, the Global Partnership for Education, Save the Children, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the World Food Programme in partnership with over 600 organizations and youth. 2 AT A GLANCE

Since its launch on August 4, 2020 the campaign has:

Reached Built a movement of Developed a Youth Caucus of 600+ 25 CSOs and activists around youth activists from across the 160 the world world representing different sectors to advise on strategy for the future

Enlisted a cadre of countries across six continents 25+ Garnered media coverage in Developed an evidence based influential education champions white paper with concrete actions to act as a road map for education 100+ Built a movement of outlets including CNN, Washington post COVID recovery Post, New York Times, Al Jazeera, ↓ Deutsche Welle, and China Global 30,000+ Television Network advocates for education to help 10,607 reframe the global learning crisis Generated downloads across Reinforced the important role education has in the 25.6 131 achievement of the BILLION countries in just the first impressions SUSTAINABLE 3 DAYS DEVELOPMENT

Brought together GOALS Built a coalition of 14 of the biggest international 200+ education organizations to form researchers from around the a common narrative globe that created a vision for action on education TRENDED on Twitter during its launch 3

WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO HOW WE DID IT

Reframe the global ↓ 1. Reframe the global 1 learning crisis within the new reality of the learning crisis pandemic

Launch with the UN Unite global education Secretary General 2 advocates behind a ⊲ WATCH VIDEO common message In partnership with the UN Secretary General, António Gu- terres who spoke of the gener- Bring a vision ational catastrophe if the world has had on global learning and 3 for action doesn’t act urgently on educa- the urgent need to invest in tion. The campaign launch re- education in order to avert a sulted in 8.7 billion impressions, generational catastrophe. reached 634,700,000 people, Reinforce the intrinsic and trended on Twitter. Media 4 links between education and other An aggressive media push plac- The Presence of Absence ing op-eds and stories in top tier major global priorities ⊲ WATCH VIDEO outlets around the world with a target of policy and decision makers resulted in placements Amplify the voices in over 100 outlets including 5 of children from CNN, New York Times, Wash- across the world ington Post, Associated Press, to demonstrate to The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Reuters, TIME, China Global decision makers that Television Network (CGTN) and children desperately Deutsche Welle (DW) want to learn Unsung Heroes ⊲ WATCH VIDEO Inspire a coordinated 6 A stark visualization of what the Stories and voices of parents, international response world will look like if action is guardians, teachers, adminis- and encourage not taken on the global learning trators, and community volun- international crisis. This film has remained teers around the world who are investment the most shared asset of the working to ensure that learning campaign. never stops during COVID-19 were a way to humanize the cri- Face the Figures sis and make it more relatable ⊲ WATCH VIDEO to world leaders. A short film highlighting the true cost the COVID-19 pandemic Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 4

1. Reframe the global learning crisis, continued 2. Unite global education

#DropSomeKnowledge advocates ⊲ INSTAGRAM LIVE Instagram Live conversations between campaign Global Am- bassadors and principals from campaign organizations were essential in raising awareness of the global learning crisis to wider audiences that could be used to mobilize for advocacy of key education priorities.

Partners Champions Built a global 30,000-strong High-level education champions diverse movement including endorsed the campaign at 600 organizations and activists different events and moments across different sectors. both online and offline. • Antonio Guterres, Researchers UN Secretary General Built a coalition of over 200 • Amina Mohammed, UN The #DropSomeKnowledge researchers from around the Deputy Secretary General between Colombian singer globe that helped create an Camilo and WFP Director of evidence-based vision for • Baroness Sugg, Minister School Feeding, Carmen Bur- action on education. for Overseas Territories and bano got an audience of over Sustainable Development at 5,000 people in 20 minutes. the Foreign, Commonwealth Global Ambassadors & Development Office ⊲ MEET OUR CAMPAIGN • Gabrielle Union, Actress, #WhatIFWednesday GLOBAL AMBASSADORS Activist and Author Twitter Chat Brought together a strategic • Gordon Brown, Former Together with campaign part- cadre of 23 celebrity advocates Prime Minister of the ner Dream a Dream, this was from around the world that were United Kingdom a 1-hour open Twitter conver- key in amplifying key messages sation where followers were to large followings and pushing • Julia Guillard, Former Prime invited to share their thoughts, for action on education priori- Minister of Australia experiences, and ideas on ties. Together, these Ambassa- • Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel questions related to reimagining dors have an online reach of Laureate and Indian Social education. The chat reached over 56.5 million. Reformer 3.8 million Twitter users and • Peter Tabichi, Kenyan garnered 1,400 engagement See Page 6 for a full list of Science Teacher and 2019 across 6 continents. campaign Global Ambassadors. Global Teacher Prize Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 5

CHAMPION QUOTES

Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown António Guterres UN Special Envoy for Education and Former United Nations Secretary General, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at the Save Our Future launch at the Global Education Meeting “Now we face a generational catastrophe “I want to thank UNESCO for its organiza- that could waste untold human potential, tion of this historic event that unites leaders undermine decades of progress, and from every continent in the cause of trans- exacerbate entrenched inequalities. The forming global education. And I want to add knock-on effects on child nutrition, child to that unity today by officially launching the marriage and gender equality, among Save Our Future white paper. A global blue- others, are deeply concerning. This is the print to avoid a generational catastrophe. backdrop to the Policy Brief I am launching It's to those young people and the children today, together with a new campaign with of the world that I want to address remarks: education partners and United Nations our hope for the future is for you.” agencies called ‘Save our Future’.”

Amina Mohammed Baroness Sugg UN Deputy Secretary General, Minister for Overseas Territories and at the Global Education Meeting Sustainable Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, “I strongly encourage this Forum to turn at the Global Education Meeting the White Paper’s recommendations into action. A key opportunity is to ensure the “COVID-19 threatens the future of a gener- current plans at country level, responding to ation who face a learning crisis like never country priorities in this crisis and supported before. To #SaveOurFuture, education is the by the United Nations, are included.” solution to so many of the world’s problems.”

Kailash Satyarthi Hon. Julia Gillard Nobel Laureate, in the Washington Post Former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership “There is perhaps nothing more urgent for Education, at the Global Education Meeting right now than to ensure these children, particularly those most vulnerable to ex- “We are hungry to do more to address the ploitation and abuse, get their fair share of needs of children around the world. We are support to return to their education. That’s delighted to see the momentum recently why 10 international organizations — under from the Save Our Future campaign and the banner of “Save Our Future” — are Global Education Forum. We are delighted urging leaders everywhere to do more to see more efforts to align with education educate children even as covid-19 rages.” sector. We have too much to do to let fragmentation get in our way.”

Gabrielle Union Peter Tabichi Award winning actress and entrepreneur, 2019 Global Teacher Prize Winner, at the Save Our Future Global School Rally at the Save Our Future Global School Rally “Shoutout to the Save Our Future campaign “As we struggle to deal with the Covid 19 for making sure that education is front and Pandemic, let us also be aware that this center during this pandemic. Kids, I know is also an opportunity to reflect, learn and things are really hard right now, but never plan on how best to make this world a ever give up on learning. Education is the better and more peaceful place for us.” key to your future and the future of the world.” Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 6

CAMPAIGN GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Ai AY Azziad Nasenya Singer (Japan) Musician. climate Actress, content activist (USA) creator (Kenya)

Bella Dose Camilo Frankie Zulferino Girl Group Singer, songwriter Singer, songwriter (Dominican Republic) (Colombia) (USA)

Gelila Bekele Gia Peppers Himakshi Shastri Model, girls Journalist (USA) Author, child advocate (Ethiopia) environmentalist (UAE)

Jena Rose Jidenna Julie Gichuru Singer, songwriter Musician (Nigeria) Media personality, (USA) social entrepreneur (Kenya)

Lilian Mbabazi Makenna Muigai Mai Al-Qaisi Singer, songwriter Climate change Children, refugee (Uganda) advocate (Kenya) rights activist (Palestine)

Miss Diddy Nambitha Ben-Mazwi Sara Mora Social entrepreneur Actress (South Africa) Digital creator, (USA) immigrant rights advocate (USA)

Saweetie Siv Ngesi Tory Kay Rapper, college Actor, girls advocate Musician (USA) student advocate (South Africa) (USA)

Vanessa Nakate Yemi Alade Climate change Singer, songwriter activist (Uganda) (Nigeria) Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 7

3. Bring a vision for action

Campaign White Paper Learning Through Play Challenge ⊲ READ WHITE PAPER ⊲ READ BLOG POST

An online promotion in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, highlighting new and innovative ways to keep children learning during COVID-19 and Save Our Future: Averting an Education Catastro- beyond. With a focus on Social Emotional Learning phe for the World’s Children is an evidence-based Through Play - and with the World Economic Forum roadmap with seven concrete recommendations mentioning creativity as one of the top 5 most in- for governments to deliver changes in the coming demand skills in the 2014 Future of Jobs’ survey - the 6-24 months. Worked on by over 200 research- challenge showed that investing in alternative ways ers from around the world and endorsed by over of learning can prepare students for a better future 80 civil society organizations, the study has been through new opportunities, reduced anxiety, built downloaded in 15,253 times in 151 countries. resilience, and strengthened social relationships.

4. Reinforce the intrinsic links between education and other major global priorities

Thematic Digital Toolkits and policies, promote institutional cooperation, Key messages, evidence, reports and partner across sectors and agencies, identify areas where stories centering education as a foundation to joint action may result in cost savings, making the the other global goals were amplified using digital case for investment stronger which could attract toolkits that were shared weekly with the over the attention of finance ministers, integrate mea- 600 campaign partners. Using accompanying suring and monitoring, and to make the case that unique secondary hashtags and URLs, the education is critical to achieving other SDGs and campaign tracked thematic coverage, increasing vice-versa. online engagement by an estimated 70% weekly. Youth Vision Statement Cross-sectoral Consultations A statement created by of over 20 young activists Brought together working group representing from different global sectors and regions, laying different development sectors to help develop out how they would like to see education restruc- narratives about the interlinkages with education, tured, rebooted and reimagined for their future. promote joint development of plans, strategies Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 8

5. Amplify the voices of children from across the world to demonstrate to decision makers that children desparately want to learn

Global School Rally The Escape Room ⊲ WATCH THE GLOBAL SCHOOL RALLY ⊲ ESCAPE ROOM LINK It Takes A Village was a child focused virtual Together with one of the campaign Youth Caucus event that attracted thousands of families around members, created of an innovative and interactive the world to hear experiences of learning during digital excursion– the Save Our Future Escape Room COVID-19 and underline the importance of the exploring how inter-generational collaboration and community it takes to help a child learn. The rally young innovators can help #SaveOurFuture. ended with a call to action from children to global leaders with three demands: #FactsFriday 1. We all learn even when schools are closed; ⊲ #FACTSFRIDAY THREAD 2. We go back to school when it is safe; 3. World leaders and rich people, help us get better education so we can be anything we want to be.

Dear World Leaders ⊲ WATCH VIDEO

A weekly video of children sharing a favorite fact they had learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ranging from facts on bees to facts about space, this was a way to encourage children to keep learn- ing and highlight that learning should never stop.

Youth Caucus Assembled 23 youth activists from across the A video message from the world’s children to world globe representing more than 15 countries and a leaders asking them to protect their education. variety of sectors including social justice, health, Written by an 8-year-old, the video is a powerful gender equality, climate change, and sustainability look of the global learning crisis through the eyes to serve as strategic advisors of the campaign. of a child. The video was played at the Global Edu- The Youth Caucus was also key in supporting the cation Meeting convened by UNESCO, the govern- research for the White Paper. ments of Ghana, Norway and the United Kingdom and brought together Heads of State and Govern- See page 9 for a full list of Youth Caucus members. ment, as well as ministers from over 70 countries. Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 9

YOUTH CAUCUS MEMBERS

Faith Ocharo Filippo Pallotti Vittoria Anelli Early childhood ONE Youth Ambassador ONE Youth Ambassador development advocate (Italy) (Italy) (Kenya)

Victoria Ibiwoye Vivian Onano Edith Asamani Child education advocate, Social entrepreneur, Adolescent girls’ leader- founder of One African education & WASH ship advocate (Ghana) Child (Nigeria) advocate (Kenya)

Fantacee Wiz Justin Patrick Sasa Aakil Musician and human rights President, International Poet, civil rights activist activist (Sierra Leone) Association for Political (USA) Science Students (Canada)

Agustin Batto Andrew Nalani Elizabeth Jackson CEO, Founder of Eidos Group facilitator, youth Youth empowerment Global (Argentina) champion (Uganda) advocate (Australia)

Kanchan Amatya Elvira Kalmurzaeva Tahsin Uddin Social entrepreneur, Executive Director of Youth and climate women’s rights & climate IDEA Central Asia change advocate activist (Nepal) (Kyrgyzstan) (Bangladesh)

Ulises Brengi Benedict Joson Henry Munoz Youth empowerment and Social entrepreneur, CEO and Founder climate activist (Argentina) youth activist (USA) of Edukasyon (Philippines)

Jaton Zulueta Amri Ilmma Stephanie Hardjo Founder and Executive Head of Public Policy, Education enthusiast, Director of AHA! Learning Ruangguru (Philippines) head of Product K12 at Center (Philippines) Ruangguru (Philippines)

Inesa Zohrabyan Yelyzaveta Shelestova Motivational speaker, Youth empowerment organizer for education advocate (Ukraine) (Armenia) Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 10

6. Inspire a coordinated international response and encourage international investment

Open Letters Call for Investment Open Letters to world leaders demanding action ⊲ READ CALL FOR INVESTMENT on education from: • 100 global leaders calling for education financing. • Children to global leaders asking them to defend their learning. • Youth calling for protection of their education in partnership with UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring report.

Launch of White Paper ⊲ READ PRESS RELEASE

At UNESCO’s Global Education Meeting by Rt Hon Gordon Brown and at the World Economic Forum by UNICEF Exec Director Henrietta Fore. It was A piece underscoring how critical is that education downloaded been downloaded in 15,253 times in is at the heart of international solidarity efforts as 151 countries around the world. we start to rebuild the world post COVID-19; and that recovery packages without education do not Global Education Forum Meeting hold ground. A high-level ministerial meeting where bilateral and multilateral donors reviewed the white paper and committed to taking forward action areas. Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 11

a message from OUR PARTNERS

“The Save Our Future campaign is BOLD! They popped “The Save Our Future campaign has elevated global up out of nowhere when the needs were highest and are discourse and action in support of education for the now a household name in the global education sphere. most vulnerable, including access to education for chil- The campaign is well organised, proactive and inclusive dren and youth who have been forcibly displaced from of all its members. We feel heard. The people behind SOF their homes. By shining a light on educational services create great content and we enjoy sharing it. We hope the provided by organizations like JRS and the needs that campaign will stay around long after the COVID-19 impact still remain, we are able to jointly encourage decision on education has been properly managed, as other crises makers and advocates to take action. We are proud to will prove Save Our Future’s worth again and again.” be a part of this important effort.” VVOB – EDUCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE

“The Save Our Future campaign permitted Luigi “Being part of this campaign has allowed us to be part of a Giussani Institute of Higher Education to be part of a movement that is focusing on working towards improving global movement advocating for continuity of learning education outcomes for students. Seeing the engagement our children in challenging times-COVID-19 pandemic. and the move on social media has been great and fulfilling.” It equally availed a wide platform to share and learn YOUNG 1OVE from as educational partners. The results are now visible- schools are starting to reopen! Concern for During these challenging times, the #SaveOurFuture the marginalised learners is taking root!” campaign gives us an incredible platform to put educa- LUIGI GIUSSANI INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION tion at the decision table and to raise awareness of the importance of working on our future. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself’. EIDOS GLOBAL True to the words of John Dewey, at Rescue life of children we are grateful for the continued support Save our future “The Save Our Future campaign amplified the priority campaign has and is giving children from South Sudan that has driven all of INEE’s work for the past 20 years: i.e the Global school rally event and globally amplifying the provision of quality, safe, and relevant education is their voices to be heard, urging increased investment on critical during and after emergencies. This campaign is Education. ‘What makes a child gifted and talented may a critical advocacy effort for children, youth, and other not always be good grades in school, but a different way learners impacted by the current pandemic, especially of looking at the world and learning.’ Children from South those already living in crisis contexts.” Sudan want to learn.” INTER-AGENCY NETWORK FOR EDUCATION IN RESCUE LIFE OF CHILDREN EMERGENCIES (INEE)

“As an independent, local non-profit organization based in “Dream a Dream’s #WhatIF Global movement called for Southeast Asia, in short, as practitioners with an indige- everyone to take a pause and reimagine ourselves, our nous perspective, we were keen to contribute a view from education system and our world, and serendipitously we our work on the ground. Practitioners are not often given found an amazing ally with the Save Our Future campaign. a chance to speak directly for themselves. Yet our insights Goals of the #WhatIF movement and that of Save Our Fu- are important in terms of implementing policy. For this, we ture campaign worked along similar lines of moving away remain grateful that the campaign allowed us an oppor- from the business-as-usual approach to reimagine a better tunity to participate and, most meaningfully, to be heard.” future for our young people!” TEACH FOR THE PHILIPPINES DREAM A DREAM Save Our Future Impact Report | Phase 1 12

a message from OUR PARTNERS continued

“United World Colleges (UWC) was honoured to collaborate ments, and national governments are consistently brought with the Save Our Future campaign. We strongly believe to the decision table. As global multilateral organizations, in the power of education. Joining forces with like-minded governments, and stakeholders search for solutions and organisations to strengthen our call for action is paramount, draft policies, we should all keep the wisdom of philoso- so that we ensure that every child has access to educa- pher Lao Tzu in mind, “Go to the people, live with them, tion - no matter the challenges that the global pandemic learn from them, love them. Start with what they know, has raised. Taking part in the Save Our Future campaign build with what they have... But with the best leaders, also gave us the chance to highlight the incredible stories when the work is done, the task is accomplished. The of UWC alumni and teachers and what they do to use people will say, ‘we have done this ourselves.” education to make the world a better, more peaceful and TEACH FOR UGANDA more just place. Working on the much-needed White Paper encouraged our students to look at education from an “Multi sectoral collaboration is crucial if we are to develop even more global perspective. The world needs more col- truly inclusive quality education systems around the world. laborative initiatives like this one. We are looking forward The process of working on the save our future campaign to joining forces alongside more educational institutions, was a collaborative process in itself, and it was great to NGOs and policy makers as we work together to strength- see diverse perspectives coming together. As we collec- en global education” tively worked on the different background papers that fed UNITED WORLD COLLEGES INTERNATIONAL into the white paper, it was interesting to see how this variety of perspectives could be represented. Humanity & “It has been eye-opening to work with the Save Our Future Inclusion was pleased to be able to join others to highlight campaign team and on this great cause. It helped us real- the needs and perspectives of inclusive education for ize that the challenges we have been addressing in Ugan- children with disabilities. The COVID pandemic has shone da’s rural school communities are global yet very local. a light on the urgency of the inclusion agenda more than We realized that the struggles of rural and disadvantaged ever before, and we cannot waste this opportunity. Inclu- children to access excellent education is an uphill battle sive education needs to be at the forefront of all education for children in Uganda, Asia, Latin America, and even in systems. We were pleased to see that the Save Our Future high-income countries such as the U.S. And COVID-19 has campaign highlighted this fundamental necessity.” even exacerbated these inequalities. In Uganda alone, 15 HUMANITY AND INCLUSION million students were out of school due to the pandemic, and only a small fraction of about 2% could access learn- “The Save Our Future campaign has been an inspiration to ing through the Internet. This education crisis is the most all of us at MMM. It was launched just as we began work- pressing civil rights issue of our time. We are grateful to ing on the mobilisation of our #RaiseAPen campaign. With the collective leadership of the Save Our Future Campaign education at the heart of both initiatives, we saw the syn- that has ignited this conversation with what Dr. & Rev. Mar- ergies and felt truly motivated to join forces. We saw Save tin Luther King Jr, called “the fierce urgency of NOW.” Just Our Future as saving the future for ALL children through as these challenges are local and global, solutions must education. At MMM, we raised a pen to secure the right to also be global in their collective nature, as well as local education for girls in Afghanistan at a time when there is a in involving the communities that suffer these inequities. real risk of losing that right. Our common vision and goal However, these solutions and the global agencies, nations, made this partnership a win-win. Thank you to the Save and organizations both local and global must work with Our Future team for their streamlined, warm and engaging the fierce urgency of now if we must save our future. We at approach - a joy to experience in these troubled times.” Teach for Uganda also recognize that global solutions will MAKE MOTHERS MATTER have their intended impact only if local organizations such as ours that work directly with communities, local govern-