The joint statement was presented by the representative of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Mr. Arturo Romboli. It is a call to members states to recognise the value of non-formal education and to take this method of learning into account when drafting their policies. On behalf of WOSM and YMCA Mr Romboli stated that that “in spite of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 855 million children and young people still have no access to formal education because of discrimination, poverty, child labour, armed conflicts and many other abuses of human rights.”

A special report titled 'The Right to Education' was also presented by Mr. V. Muñoz Villalobos. Citing Germany and Morocco as examples, he discussed the need for an inclusive education system throughout the world to meet the needs of young people. He identified that under the current system in Germany, disabled and migrant children do not have their educational needs met. Whereas in Morocco, their educational system is currently undergoing a lot of reforms and demanding more accountability. He also addressed the issue of child labour is preventing access to education for a lot of young people in developing countries.

Click here to read the joint statement from WOSM & World Alliance of YMCAs in full. Click here to watch the video

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