Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009, 8:06 am Amman Time

Her Majesty Queen Rania with Jessica Markowitz and Devli Kumari at an event marking the launch of Global Action Week at the National Press Club in Washington on Tuesday (Photo by Nasser Ayoub)

AMMAN (JT) - Her Majesty Queen Rania on Tuesday officially launched the April 20-26 Global Action Week organised by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) to fight illiteracy worldwide with 75 million children currently out of school.

In an event held at the National Press Club in Washington marking the opening of this year’s Global Action Week, the Queen called on millions around the world, including teachers, children, campaigners, adult learners and parents to take part in the Big Read campaign, according to a statement released by Her Majesty’s office.

“It’s time for a new chapter in the global illiteracy story,” said the Queen, who is honorary chairperson of Global Action Week.

Queen Rania was joined at a roundtable discussion on education by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Counsellor to the Secretary of Treasury Gene Sperling, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingartner, US representative to the GCE David Gartner and Gayle Smith, director for African Affairs at the National Security Council.

During the event, Her Majesty expressed hope that “every paragraph pored over, and every page turned, will inspire a reading revolution and amplify the many voices calling for equal access to school and a quality education for all”.

“If we give children a chance, they’ll do the rest,” she added, addressing a group of fourth graders from the Ben Goldberg’s Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, who were present among the audience.

Highlighting the benefits of literacy and lifelong learning, the Queen noted that “an education gives children choices to make changes in their lives so that they can learn more about themselves, build self-confidence and secure their futures”.

Also attending the event yesterday, were 13-year-old Jessica Markowitz, a “Big Read” US participant and GCE supporter, and Devli Kumari, chosen to represent the voice of child and bonded labourers everywhere for the “Class of 2015: Education for All” campaign in New York last September.

“Every time I pass by a roadside restaurant and see children working, my heart aches and my heart will continue to ache until I help them go to school,” said Devli.

At the end of the conference, both girls joined the Queen to sign the “Big Read” book as a symbol of her continued support for the cause, the statement said.

“We’re here today to say no to global illiteracy and yes to education for all,” she concluded.
In an effort to raise global awareness of education as a basic human right, the “Big Read” book has been distributed free of charge in more than 100 countries to children, parents and adult learners.

During Action Week, readers will add their names to a declaration which demands that all governments deliver good quality, free public education for all.

In a visit to Johannesburg last month, Queen Rania narrated, her Big Read story, “Maha of the Mountains”, to a group of children from Soweto and Thembisa.

The story, which tells of a young girl’s dream to become a schoolteacher, highlights the importance of education as a means to achieving one’s deepest aspirations.

The Big Read book compiles short stories written by leading global figures and international authors including Nelson Mandela, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Paulo Coelho and Alice Walker.

22 April 2009