Canada’s Opportunity to Lead: Education as a Path to Global Peace and Security 

As the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis approaches, Canada has a unique opportunity to reassert its global leadership. Yesterday in Ottawa, I joined four other leaders at a press conference as representatives of a coalition of more than 40 Canadian and global organizations. We presented our proposal to newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the Government of Canada to seize this opportunity for leadership on the global stage and continue our nation’s legacy of meaningful impact through education as a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity. 

For our Children Believe donors and supporters across Canada, this initiative represents the values that have always defined our nation: compassion, pragmatic solutions, and commitment to building a better world. This is not just another development initiative – it’s an expression of who we are as Canadians. 

In a world increasingly defined by nationalist tendencies, Canadians must lead by example. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to sustain commitments to international assistance – a promising signal when many leaders (you know who) are retreating from global responsibilities. 

The evidence is compelling: Every dollar you’ve contributed to our education programs represents one of the most strategic investments we can make to break the cycles of violence and poverty. Research shows countries with large numbers of out-of-school children are more prone to violent conflict, while nations with higher levels of peacefulness have nearly universal secondary school completion rates. 

This isn’t idealistic thinking; it’s pragmatic policy reflecting Canadian values of effectiveness and measurable results. Each additional year of schooling leads to an average 9% increase in future earnings. When children have access to education, they become empowered with skills needed for economic prosperity – creating more stable trading partners and a more secure world for everyone. 

Canada’s track record of G7 leadership speaks for itself. In 2018, Canada’s investment at Charlevoix reached 4 million girls in crisis-affected communities with quality education in just three years. The 2010 Muskoka Initiative saved 400,000 children’s lives and reduced maternal mortality by 45% in its first two years. These are the concrete results that make Canadians proud of our global engagement. 

Our coalition is launching the #YESfor12 campaign, calling on Canada to support the principle that every child should receive a minimum of 12 years of quality education. I urge all Children Believe donors and Canadians to rally behind this campaign. Your voices matter. When you write to your MP, share on social media, or talk to friends about the importance of Canada leading on global education, you help create the political will for bold action. 

At our press conference, Hawa Abdiaziz from the Refugee Education Council shared her journey from a refugee camp to becoming a global advocate for education. Her story illustrates how education transforms lives and communities. This is what your support makes possible – real lives changed, real potential unleashed. 

Dr. Shelly Whitman of the Dallaire Institute emphasized that while the international community primarily focuses on responding to crises through a military lens, we must shift toward prevention through education. Each additional year of education reduces a young person’s risk of involvement in conflict by 20%. For Canadians concerned about global conflicts, this represents a smart upstream investment addressing root causes rather than symptoms. 

At Children Believe, we’ve seen firsthand how education reduces poverty, conflict, and discrimination, giving children the knowledge and skills to live the life they choose. Your donations have made this possible, and your continued support will help scale these proven approaches. 

When you support Children Believe, you’re contributing to a more peaceful world resistant to conflict and extremism because together we are addressing problems at their source. 

I invite every Canadian to join this call to action. Visit our website to learn how to support the #YESfor12 campaign, share our message, or contact your elected representatives. 

Together, we can ensure Canada leads with both heart and head at this critical moment. Your support creates a better, more peaceful world. With this initiative, we can multiply that impact many times over. 

For millions of children around the world, the moment for Canadians to act is now. 

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.