April 5, 2016, Washington D.C. – The Rumi Forum organized a talk with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution to discuss the book, “What Works in Girls’ Education: Evidence for the World’s Best Investment”. The discussion was moderated by Ken Bedell from the Department of Education.
Dr. Winthrop opened the discussions the major reasons why investing in key to development and explained the data collected from their research. According to her, “Improving girls education has knock-off effects on multiple sectors, as it has benefits on health, economic growth and women empowerment”. She also stated that there are 62 million girls out of school, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa and Southwest Asia regions.
The research also showed that there has been a lot of progress in girls education over the last 20 years globally, with the millennium development goals but gaps in advancing girls from primary to secondary education. She recommended that governments and institutions need improve learning and quality of education would help girls complete schools and progress further.
Dr. Winthrop is also the former head of education for the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid NGO. Her research focuses on education in the developing world, with special attention to improving quality learning for the most marginalized children and youth, including girls and children affected by extreme violence.
Rumi Forum’s Luncheon Speaker Series attracts diverse think-tanks to promote dialogue and education within societies. In addition, it aims to foster intercultural dialogue, tolerance, stimulate thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace.
