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Global education program
Our impact for children 2022
In 2022, the global education landscape saw a shift from an emergency state towards recovery as nationwide school closures were lifted, allowing in-person learning to resume worldwide. Nevertheless, the adverse effects of these closures on children’s well-being, including health, nutrition, mental health, and protection against various challenges, persisted, with marginalized groups like girls, children with disabilities, and minorities bearing the brunt. Multiple conflicts and emergencies further complicated the educational journey. UNICEF, in collaboration with partners, continued its mission to provide quality education services in challenging circumstances. Despite substantial efforts, learning poverty continued to increase, with over two-thirds of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries unable to read. UNICEF allocated significant funds to address this crisis, including education in emergencies. The commitment of partners like Ahlström Collective Impact allowed UNICEF to reach millions of children and support their growth and development.
Education’s critical role in reducing inequality, poverty, and societal stability was emphasized, as it contributes to sustainable development and lifelong learning skills. UNICEF focused on helping children return to school and improve foundational skills, working closely with governments to enhance education systems, promote inclusion, and gender equity. UNICEF’s dedicated efforts in 2022 aimed to equip children with skills for life, work, and learning, with a workforce deployed to regions, countries, and remote areas where needs are greatest. Ahlström Collective Impact provided significant support to UNICEF’s Global Education Program in 2022. This report summarizes UNICEF’s collaborative efforts in 2022 to advance children’s education.
Global education program
Our impact for children 2021
The pandemic brought education systems across the world to a halt, with school closures affecting more than 1.6 billion learners at its peak, including 167 million younger children who lost access to early childhood education. Learning losses are substantial, with the most marginalized children and youth disproportionately affected.
In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to disrupt education for millions of children. Education plays a key role in reducing inequality, cutting poverty rates, and strengthening societal stability. It contributes to a better society and sustainable development. Without skills for a lifelong learning and active citizenship, children face greater barriers for earning potential and employment later in life.
UNICEF works around the world to support quality learning for every child. UNICEF’s aim is to ensure that every child and adolescent has access to school and quality learning.
In 2021 Ahlström Collective Impact supported UNICEF’s Global Education Program adn could therefore help to offer thousands of children around the world:
- An equitable access to quality education.
- Improved learning outcomes.
- Skills development for knowledge and skills to face an ever-changing world.
This report summarizes some of the key results on how UNICEF together with its partners, worked for children’s education in 2021.
Response to covid-19
Our impact for children in 2020
These young girls are practicing safe handwashing in Odisha, India as part of UNICEF’s work against COVID-19. Last year Ahlström Collective Impact focused on supporting children’s wellbeing and health during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the investment of 240 000 euro, UNICEF could, for example,
- provide 50 healthcare facilities with supplies of water and sanitation equipment in Nepal, and
- provide 125 000 school children with access to remote learning programs when schools were disrupted in Guinea-Bissau, and
- reach 1 million people with urgent health and hygiene messaging through social media in Costa Rica.
Disruptions to society caused by the pandemic have had a heavy impact on children: on their safety, their well-being, and their future. As these services were compromised, UNICEF took action to prevent this health crisis turning into a child rights crisis.