Theirworld and The Observer Studios launch The Education Issue

Theirworld and The Observer Studios launch The Education Issue

Global children’s charity Theirworld has worked with The Observer Studios, the content studio of The Observer newspaper, to publish the first edition of The Education Issue – an annual newspaper created by young people worldwide, reporting on education in their local communities.

The first edition of the newspaper brings together the work of ten young education advocates from Theirworld’s Global Youth Ambassadors programme. It features stories ranging from a favela in Brazil to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Guest-edited by The Observer’s Managing Editor, Jess Winch, The Education Issue will launch during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Jess Winch, Managing Editor at The Observer, said: “What shines through these stories is an unwavering commitment to education, from pupils and teachers, in the face of extraordinary obstacles. Editing this paper has caused me to reflect on the voices too often missing from our media. These stories are full of courage, insight and hope. They deserve to be read widely.”

The young journalists, who are part of Theirworld’s two-year Global Youth Ambassador programme providing advocacy and campaigning skills, undertook an additional ten-month journalism project that equipped them with the training and tools to report stories from their often underrepresented communities.

Victory Ashaka, who grew up in a rural community in southern Nigeria, covered ‘Chess in Slums’, a grassroots initiative in Lagos that uses the game of chess to connect out-of-school and vulnerable children back into education.

Ashaka said: “I was drawn to tell this story because it’s about more than a game. It’s about children gaining dignity, discovery and direction. Their journey from pawns to queens and kings reflects the power of education to transform lives. I believe stories like this, with the right skills and opportunity, can spark movements and inspire change.”

The Education Issue is part of Theirworld’s mission to end the global education crisis and unlock the potential of future generations. Each year, 1,000 young people join the charity’s Global Youth Ambassador programme, receiving training in education advocacy. To date, more than 8,000 advocates across 140 countries have been supported to speak up and push for reform in their local and national education systems.

Justin van Fleet, President of Theirworld said: “In an era of declining media and rising misinformation, too few stories reflect the lived experiences of young people and the challenges they face in education. The Education Issue shows that when youth voices are given the tools and platform, they can inspire the world.

The Education Issue is available at theeducationissue.org, where readers can explore the full features and multimedia stories behind the headlines. The newspaper will launch on September 22 in New York, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly, with five of the inaugural contributors presenting their work alongside a series of high-level events.

 

For interviews, images or further information, please contact:

• Isabella Sheeky isabella@theirworld.org +44 7841 099 271
• OR Darika Ahrens darika@theirworld.org +44 7960 528 480