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CONTACT: Laura Ingalls (laura.ingalls@worldlearning.org) in Washington, 1.202.464.6973

Rep. Lowey: Basic Education Essential to Solving Global Challenges

World Learning Open House Celebrates New Leadership, Location

WASHINGTON, DC (November 2, 2009) -- The United States should make achieving universal basic education a priority because it is essential to addressing some of the world's most serious challenges, according to U.S. Representative Nita Lowey.

Lowey spoke to more than 150 international development specialists at World Learning's open house in Washington October 28. View video, photos and speech text from the open house.

"We must affirm loudly, clearly, and with a single voice that education is not a luxury to be discarded in tough times, but rather an essential part of the solution to the global recession and a core underpinning of long-term sustainable growth, and a global security imperative," she said.

The open house also featured remarks from World Learning's new President and CEO Adam Weinberg and tours of the organization's new Washington office.  Weinberg previously served as vice president and provost of its SIT Study Abroad and SIT Graduate Institute programs in Vermont.

The new Washington office is home to nearly 100 international development professionals working in five program areas: education, civil society and governance, HIV/AIDS, international exchange and capacity development and training.  It is the first time that World Learning's Washington-based staff has worked under one roof, signaling the organization's growing reputation in the international development field.

"We live in a historically serious moment and it is not enough to just do great work," said Weinberg. "As a community, we need to be addressing critical global issues in ways that can make a measurable difference."