November 11, 2012

As the President of Parliamentarians for Global Action, New Zealand Labour MP Ross Robertson joined the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, and his Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, on Malala Day, in calling for every girl and boy to have their right to education upheld and protected.

“One of our former PGA Members, Dr. Noor Jehan Panezai, was born in a Pashtun tribal village, in Balochistan, Pakistan. Contrary to local tradition, her family was passionate about education and the girls of the village were all educated. She trained as an obstetrician/gynaecologist and for over two decades was a formidable presence in Pakistan politics.

“She advocated tirelessly for reproductive health and rights and fought hard against the stigma and discrimination toward people living with Aids.

“Without her education, Dr. Panezai would not have been able to bring change to her country.

“We need to remind ourselves that education is a fundamental human right and that it leads to a path of respect and tolerance among citizens and between nations. Education is a universal right offering girls and boys a journey of choices, growth and possibilities.

“I add my voice to raise hope and advocate for the right to education of 61 million children that are not in school,” says Ross Robertson.

“The vision of Parliamentarians for Global Action is to contribute to the creation of a rules-based international order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world. And without a doubt, this vision begins with the right to education.”

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Ms. Mónica Adame
Program Officer

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