The aftershock of the global economic and financial crisis in 2008-2009 risks depriving millions of children in the world’s poorest countries of an education (Education for All Global Monitoring Report, 2010). With 72 million children still out of school, a combination of slower economic growth, rising poverty and budget pressures could erode the education gains of the past decade.

UNESCO is addressing these challenges through timely research, evidence-based policy advice, and knowledge sharing. The resources available on this platform for knowledge exchange provide updated information on the implications of the economic crisis on Education for All, and enable governments and the international community to effectively foster dialogue, learn from each other’s experience and move closer to international education goals.