Reacting to our presentation, the Queen described the proposal as ‘very doable’.

“We have to look for quality…The thing that brings education to life are quality teachers…It’s about bringing honour back to the profession.”

Gordon Brown praised the proposal for a Global Fund for Education as “idealism combined with a plan for action.”

He called on all the major countries to come together to support quality education, while underlining the need to teach students to be global citizens.

Supporting the formation of a virtual or real world fund for education, he warned that “if we don’t make this effort, there will be a very heavy price to pay because others will do what we should have done years ago.”

A fund needs “a mobilisation of resources and energy…it’s something we could do.”

Her Majesty, the Queen told the team how proud she was to be part of the panel. “You are potentially a politically transformative force,” she said.

Closing the session on behalf of the Greenwich 60, Yoo-Sun Andrea Choi thanked the world’s leaders for their attention.

“We hope you will jump into the boat we have created,” she told them.

On 26 January, the team became the youngest ever panel at Davos, when they set out their ideas for an international Fund that would focus not simply on access to education for all - but on ensuring a high quality education for every student in the world.

Sharing a platform with Queen Rania of Jordan and the British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, they emphasised the importance of delivering well-trained and motivated teachers, as well as developing curricula that equip students to live and work in a global society.

Read the text of their remarks here (Presentation) or you can watch video of the whole session.

Six young people, aged between 21 and 24, will today challenge the World Economic Forum to establish a Global Fund for Education that will focus on ensuring the quality of education for all.

The team, who come from Australia, Egypt, Israel, Mauritius, South Korea, and Switzerland, will set out their ideas in a session at Davos called Wisdom of Youth, to be chaired by Jonathan Charles of the BBC. They will share the platform at 11am on Friday 26 January with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

The Global Fund for Education would work on a similar basis to the highly successful existing Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, co-ordinating the efforts of private and public donors worldwide. The group believes a focus on developing the quality of what is taught in schools is vital, if education is to play a full role in ensuring that students are equipped to live and work in increasingly complex and diverse societies.

Speaking about her hopes for making the Global Fund for Education a reality, Yossra Taha, 22 from Egypt said:

“The Global Fund for Education can help the world address one of its greatest challenges, building active global citizens through education. I believe we can create generations that are socially responsible and active participants in their societies, and that have awareness and respect for other peoples’ civilizations, cultures, religions, and race.”

Chanda Ghoorah, 24 from Mauritius added:

“Our goal, as young leaders of tomorrow, is to create a common platform that will focus on quality education. We believe that schools should prepare students to respond successfully to the challenges of an increasingly diverse society and global economy.”

The representatives of the Global Fund for Education were brought together by the British Council in a unique meeting held in Greenwich, London last week. Selected from a group of 60 people aged between 20 and 25, from 49 countries, the team plans to represent not only their colleagues, but their whole generation at Davos. Armin Stähli, 21 from Switzerland commented:

“Although we’re young, we are full of potential. Challenging today’s leaders, and using international forums like WEF to set out our concerns and solutions is just the beginning of a shift in the power equation.”

Martin Davidson, Deputy-Director General of the British Council, who is attending Davos, and who will also participate in the Wisdom of Youth session said:

“I believe the six young people behind the Global Fund for Education have focused on an extremely important issue for education and its impact on our societies. Ensuring the quality of what our children learn is vital if education is to play a full part in helping us develop societies where we make the most of diversity.”

• 100 million children currently lack access to primary schooling, with only 60% of African children completing primary education. In developing countries, only half of secondary school-age children are enrolled in secondary education.

• Access to education is increasing, but educational quality appears to be continuing to suffer. Many children leave school without learning basic reading and writing skills. Student-teacher ratios are increasing, as more children enter the school system. In some countries, class sizes of over 60 are found. There are 71 primary school pupils to every teacher in Congo, compared to 12 in Switzerland.

• Teachers in many countries are inadequately trained, under-paid and poorly motivated. Although buildings and technology are also important, supporting teachers is the best way to strengthen educational systems.

• In recent years, the international community has invested heavily in health. In five years, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has committed $6.8 billion to health projects in 136 countries. Its partnership model – bringing together governments, civil society, business, foundations and communities – has won many plaudits.

• The mission for a Global Fund for Education would be to invest in a quality education for all and to nurture a future generation of global citizens. The initial focus would be on supporting and developing teachers, and developing curricula that teach the skills needed for global citizenship.

• The World Economic Forum has shown a commitment to education through its Global Education Initiative. Its research shows that half of business leaders believe that their educational system is inadequate, with only 35% of business leaders in low income countries believing their education system is fit for purpose.

• The Forum is in a position to use its unparalleled ability to bring together world leaders to focus anew on the world’s educational challenges and to help catalyse the creation of the new Fund.

“Our goal, as young leaders of tomorrow, is to create a common platform that will focus on quality education. We believe that schools should prepare students to respond successfully to the challenges of an increasingly diverse society and global economy.” (Chanda)

“It’s rare that people as young as us get the opportunity to take part in the World Economic Forum meeting. It is a great honor for me to be the carrier of the voice of the future to Davos and I look forward to seeing our ideas and hopes become tomorrow’s reality.” (Yoo-Sun)

“It’s really amazing that people of our age get to participate in such an important event. It’s a unique opportunity for us to speak for ourselves, our countries and most of all, our generation.” (Yossra)

“Although we’re young, we are full of potential. Challenging today’s leaders, and using international forums like WEF to set out our concerns and solutions is just the beginning of a shift in the power equation.” (Armin)

“The World Economic Forum is the sort of place where the rich and famous mingle with the rich and powerful, and where big announcements are often made. Letting six young people in is a radical and welcome move. Not only will we add our voices to the conversations at Davos, but we’ll also be able to reflect our experiences from Davos out to the rest of the world.” (Simon)

On the Global Fund for Education:

“We have an opportunity here to show our children – and the world – that diversity is not a challenge – it is a blessing.” (Chanda)

“We are often so preoccupied in dealing with today’s issues that we forget about tomorrow. We all know that young people are our future, and that education weaves the fabric of our society. The Global Fund for Education is an opportunity for leaders to bring these two issues together.” (Yoo-Sun)

“The Global Fund for Education can help the world address one of its greatest challenges, building active global citizens through education. I believe we can create generations that are socially responsible and active participants in their societies, and that have awareness and respect for other peoples’ civilizations, cultures, religions, and race.” (Yossra)

“Young people are more closely involved with education than anyone else – so we need to tell the world what has to be done. This is why we are here today to present the Global Fund for Education.” (Armin)

“We’ve seen a revolution in funding and action on health. Now we need the same focus and coordination on education. The Global Education Fund’s mission would be to invest in a quality education for all and nurture a future generation of global citizens. We ask you – the world’s leaders - to give your personal commitment to making that happen.” (Simon)