HC Deb 06 April 2000 vol 347 cc573-4W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to discuss the achievement of universal primary education at this year's G8 Summit. [116543]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 29 March 2000]: The World Education Forum in Dakar later this month will assess progress achieved in the decade since the World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien. This is an important opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to providing education for the world's children, and to put in place a Framework for Action. At the G8 Summit in Okinawa in July Heads of Government will consider the outcome of the Dakar Forum and look at what more can be done to ensure that the target of universal primary education by 2015 is achieved.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has held with his EU and UN counterparts concerning the achievement of universal primary education. [116544]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 29 March 2000]: The Government are committed to the target of achieving universal primary education by 2015. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and Department for International Development officials are in frequent contact with their EU and UN counterparts about the achievement of universal primary education. The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)—together with the World bank—are the convenors of the World Education Forum to be held in Dakar later this month.

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