Another international organization working to promote access to education is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  UNESCO’s program Education for All by 2015 (EFA) sets among its priorities “developing competencies for workforce success through education” and “using technology to enhance teaching and learning and to expand educational opportunities.”⁵²   Although many of UNESCO’s partnerships are with other UN agencies, UNESCO does partner with the World Bank as well on education initiatives and projects. 

UNESCO has paired with the World Economic Forum to create Partnerships for Education (PfE) “which works collaboratively with other global initiatives to harness and help deliver effective private sector contributions to EFA.”⁵³   A resulting project, the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Education (MSPE) brings together the private sector, governments, civil society and other organizations to pool and manage resources and competencies that contribute to the expansion and enhanced quality of education.  As a multi-stakeholder partnership, MSPE forms a broader coalition than private-public partnerships, realizing the need for multiple inputs for creative, global solutions that will facilitate EFA by 2015.

UNESCO also partners with numerous multinational corporations to help achieve its goal to bring education to all.  Multinational information technology companies, such as Microsoft, Intel, and CISCO help to provide consultation, partnerships, technology, and funding for projects.  In many cases, MNC’s actively look to participate in programs that will assist in education, not only for public relations exposure, but also because these companies need a pool of employees with specific 21st century skill sets.

52  http://www.unesco.org/en/education/about-us/programme/
53  Draxler, Alexandra. 7.

Next: Global Education and Non-Governmental Organizations