Vital for stable world

As children in Northwest Arkansas get ready for school, I’m distressed to know a staggering 263 million children around the world are not. They have no schools.

A retired Root Elementary librarian and grandmother of eight, I know firsthand the importance of education. I am committed to a world where every person has an equal chance for a safe, healthy and productive life. Although my address is Fayetteville, I realize the earth knows no political boundaries. Our fate is unavoidably intertwined with the fate of every person on the planet.

Supporting global education, besides being morally right, enhances our national security through increased global stability. Without an education, children are more vulnerable to the pull of extremist groups, at greater risk of contracting deadly diseases, and more likely targets for forced labor, trafficking, and child marriage. Each year of schooling for males reduces their risk of becoming involved in conflict by 20 percent. Amazing.

The Global Partnership for Education recently launched a new plan to support access to effective education in 89 developing countries. But it can’t do it alone—donors and developing countries must contribute.

Unfortunately, the White House has proposed slashing U.S. investments in the fight against global poverty, including education. These issues have strong bipartisan support in Congress, and I hope we can count on Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman, and Rep. Steve Womack to help make sure the U.S. continues to show strong leadership through support of the Global Partnership for Education. JAN M. VANSCHUYVER

Fayetteville