Getting an education is not just about landing a good job or making more money. It is also about becoming a well-rounded individual who can think critically, solve problems, and make a difference in the world. When education is disrupted, pathways to being an engaged citizen become limited.
UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 seeks to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” To achieve this goal, there are still many challenges to overcome.
Did you Know? (Source: Report of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict)
- In 2022, children continued to be disproportionately affected by armed conflict, and the number affected by grave violations increased compared with 2021.
- From January to December 2022, there was a 112 percent increase in attacks on schools and hospitals, particularly in Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Israel, the State of Palestine, Myanmar, Mali, and Afghanistan.
- In Afghanistan, the UN verified 95 attacks (72 on schools, 23 on hospitals), including attacks on protected persons.
In honor of
Protect Education Day, we call on students to harness the power of storytelling in a
six-word story about why access to education for all matters.
What is a six-word story?
Simply put, a six-word story is an entire story told in six words. Here is the tricky part: even though this kind of narrative is very short, it still needs to convey the themes and emotions of longer stories.
Here are a few examples of six-word stories. As you read them, consider what main ideas and emotions the writer is relating in these whittled-down tales:
- What if Einstein never learned math?
- Letters like birds searching for nests.
- Reading revealed feelings she’d never understood.
Follow these steps as you whittle down your ideas to six words that explain why education matters:
- Write a 1-2 sentence anecdote that shows why education is essential for all.
- Next, carefully omit unnecessary words to clarify your main idea.
- Repeat step 2 until you have your six-word story.
- Submit to InnerView, your six-word story AND a sentence or two about an action someone can take to protect education. Email your six-word story and your call to action to Creative Visions as well: [email protected]
Consider that an action can take many forms, such as:
- seeking donations for an organization that supports access to education.
- signing up to become a peer tutor.
- organizing a book drive for your classroom or your entire school.
