"EI has kept aloft the banner of quality universal education for these past two decades," said Brown. "Today still, EI is a lead defender of education for all."

Saying that quality and equality in access to education must be guaranteed, Brown also highlighted the struggle for women’s and girls’ right to education, which was brought to international attention by the fifteen-year-old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai. A Malala Day on 10 November has been created by the UN, Gordon Brown reminded attendees at the meeting. 

Global drive for education for all

Brown exclaimed, "I have been very much impressed by the fact that young people and civil society the world over are now urging governments to fulfill their promises and responsibility to ensure quality public education for all, boys and girls."

He went on to say that people understand that quality education is the key that will unlock important goals. Education, in particular, is the key to a country’s economic success: “There is a real trend for change, for strong investment in children’s education, at all education levels.

"We are not investing enough in the education of children worldwide, and, according to today’s figures, 500 million children won’t finish secondary school," Brown complained.

Poor countries will feel betrayed, he said, if the world doesn’t take action and do its best to achieve the current Millennium Development Goals by 2015. "We must push for great action during these coming two-and-a-half years."

Underlining the need for a better and increased use of technology in education, Brown conceded that while technology can certainly help teachers, it can never replace them.

Global investment in quality education needed

Brown also expressed his regret that while businesses benefit from the effects of public education, they do not contribute enough to it.

He warned he is ready to name and shame countries that do not do enough for their citizens’ education. He detailed sources of financing for education: national domestic resources, external aid, and public subscriptions to a global fund to which, for example, foundations can contribute.

“What will be achieved until the end of 2015 is a matter of political will, and I believe that together, we can change the world for good,” Brown concluded.