Post G7 Aftermath: Why we Need to Keep Pushing for Canada to Lead on Global Education

At the recent G7 Summit, Children Believe, as part of a coalition of more than 40 agencies, pushed for the Government of Canada to champion a new signature initiative for global education. With conflict and insecurity escalating in hot spots around the world, we made that case that investing in education is the best way to prevent conflict and instability and all the repercussions they have for the world’s most vulnerable people.

No such announcement was forthcoming, highlighting the complexities world leaders face in addressing global challenges. And while we were hopeful for stronger commitments to support critical sectors like education-peace-and security, we remain committed to working collaboratively with all our partners, including governments, to find innovative solutions.

So as the dust settles on Kananaskis, I'm reflecting on both the realities of governance and the urgent work that still lies ahead. We need to acknowledge the enormous challenge facing Prime Minister Carney's new government. In just months since taking office, the Carney administration has had to navigate complex trade tensions, establish its approach to rising global conflicts, and manage competing domestic priorities—all while establishing Canada's leadership voice on the international stage.

It was a lot to expect a brand new government to deliver a transformative development initiative amid such complex geopolitical pressures. But we pushed hard anyway because it was too important not to. Because here's the reality: the world can't wait for perfect timing.

Our team at Children Believe, alongside our partners in the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG), understands the political complexities. We also understand that millions of children remain out of school, creating conditions that foster instability and conflict. The summit did advance crucial conversations around peace and security, but these discussions underscore exactly why education must be central to Canada's approach—not peripheral to it.

When we strengthen education systems, we build communities resistant to violence and conflict. The mathematics are stark—every dollar invested in education saves approximately $16 in crisis response. This isn't just about doing good; it's about strategic investment in the stability and prosperity that Canada desperately needs in an uncertain world.

That's why we're preparing to push harder in the months ahead. Yes, real change takes time. The 2018 Charlevoix Declaration didn't emerge overnight—it built on years of relationship-building and strategic positioning to ultimately reach 4 million girls with quality education. The 2010 Muskoka Initiative, which saved 400,000 children's lives, grew from sustained advocacy that demonstrated both moral urgency and practical benefits.

But we can’t afford to wait for perfect conditions to make progress. Our coalition’s proposal for a G7 Education, Peace and Security Initiative goes beyond helping children, it is about addressing the root causes of instability and conflict that jeopardize global prosperity. While governments, including the Carney administration, are investing in defense to counter immediate global threats, our proposal offers a proactive approach – one that seeks to prevent these challenges by tackling their root causes through education. By investing in education, we can foster long-term peace and stability, ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for all.

The evidence is overwhelming. Recent cutbacks to foreign assistance programs have left millions of the world's most vulnerable children without access to basic education, creating conditions that foster the very instability our defense investments aim to counter. Meanwhile, 81% of Canadians support investing in aid to solve global challenges, demonstrating that the political will exists if leadership steps forward.

Canada’s G7 presidency extends through December 2025 and we are committed to making the most of every opportunity during this time. We will deepen our engagement with government partners, exploring initiatives such as a Development Ministerial to help launch our proposal. We will continue to amplify the voices of the millions of Canadians represented by our member organizations, and we will remain steadfast in our focus on the 12 million children who stand to benefit from increased access to education.

The stakes are too high for cautious incrementalism. Global education isn't a luxury—it's a security imperative. As Canada navigates an increasingly dangerous world, we can either invest in prevention through education or continue paying the much higher costs of crisis response. The choice is clear, and the time for bold action is now.

The work intensifies, and so does our determination to bring the G7 and global partners to the table on education.