The United Nations describes education as “a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.” Today, the 6th International Day of Education recognizes the crucial role it plays in achieving peace and progress across the globe. The theme of this year’s observance is “learning for lasting peace,” underscoring how an active commitment to peace is more urgent today than ever.

In many developing communities, a lack of access to learning negatively affects the lives and dreams of children, especially girls, and this problem is compounded by violence. Around 244 million children worldwide are not in school and their right to education is being violated. This crisis has far-reaching consequences. Girls’ education specifically should not be seen as another of the world’s problems waiting to be solved. We believe educating girls is a key solution to many global issues that affect our collective future, including climate change. Some experts consider it a more effective solution than buying electric cars or scaling solar power.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child goes further, to stipulate that countries shall make education accessible to all. Learning is given this weight of importance because it offers a path out of poverty and into a positive future for the global economy. We know that conflict and poverty can re-enforce this injustice, perpetuating harmful traditional practices including gender-based inequality, child marriage and the worst forms of child labour.