UNESCO is launching a new UN-wide portal on the global economic crisis and its implications for education. Based on knowledge-sharing, it highlights major ongoing research on the impact of the crisis. By conducting dialogue, sharing experience and contributing resources, stakeholders can use the portal to inform decisions and move closer to achieving international education goals.

The crisis has hit all countries, especially the poorest. Some are cutting education budgets, while others are deferring financing. In countries that rely on significant external funding, such as sub-Saharan Africa, aid disbursements, especially to basic education, have declined by four per cent.

Although donors have responded to the crisis by scaling up social programmes, as of late 2010 they still needed to bridge a financing gap of US$16 billion a year for basic education, (of which current aid comprised US$ 3 billion). Private capital flows to developing countries have dropped drastically, which could affect on education profoundly.

UNESCO aims to make the case for countries to invest out of the crisis through education. Its Economic Crisis and Education web portal represents an essential resource on issues pertaining to the economic crisis and its implications for education at global, national, and local levels.

Education for All partners are encouraged to contribute key publications pertaining to this topic to the site as well as to participate in discussions on the online forum.

(Source: unesco.org)