K-Pop group W24 joins GPE and youth around the world in calling for more education financing
Members of K-Pop group W24

Members of K-Pop group W24

WASHINGTON D.C./Seoul, January 21, 2025 – Ahead of the International Day of Education, Korean rock band W24 joins the Global Partnership for Education “Answer the Call” campaign to sound the alarm on the education crisis in lower-income countries.

Climate change, technological change, rising inequalities, and demographic shifts are transforming societies and economies at an unprecedented pace. In 2023, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the largest youth population on the planet, and by 2050, 40 percent of all those below the age of 18 years will be in Africa. Yet, in 2021, Africa made up only 3 percent of global expenditure on education.

Education is the most powerful tool to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt, innovate, and thrive in this complex and rapidly evolving landscape.

Rallying a wide network of youth, influencers and advocates, the “Answer the Call” campaign aims to shed light on the education crisis in lower income countries and highlight the importance of universal quality education as a steppingstone to an inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and climate-resilient future.

“Education has the power to change lives and transform societies,” said W24. “We’re thrilled to join this global call to action and stand with youth around the world who are raising their voices for a better future. Together, we can make education a priority and ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.”

Youth around the world are urging leaders to protect and increase funding for education systems that are inclusive, climate-smart, and resilient. They demand bold leadership to make education fit for the future and accessible to all, especially marginalized children and youth.

It is time to answer the call and fund education—for a world that is fairer, more peaceful, and full potential.

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Answer the Call Campaign Partners

  • ActionAid
  • Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE)
  • Campaña Latinoamericana por el Derecho a la Educación- CLADE
  • Center for Economic and Social Rights
  • Coordinamento italiano delle diaspore per la Cooperazione internazionale
  • CIDCI ETS
  • Education Cannot Wait
  • Education For All Somalia (EFASOM)
  • Educaid.be
  • Felm, Finn Church Aid (FCA)
  • Fondazione AVSI – ETS
  • Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie
  • Foro Dakar Honduras
  • Girls Not Brides
  • Global Campaign for Education (GCE)
  • Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
  • Gravissimum Educationis
  • Cultura per l'Educazione
  • Humanity & Inclusion
  • Inclusion International
  • MANI TESE ETS
  • Oxfam
  • Plan International
  • REAL Centre Cambridge
  • Results UK
  • Save the Children
  • School Meals Coalition
  • Sightsavers
  • The Global Goals
  • The LEGO Foundation
  • The World's Largest Lesson
  • Theirworld
  • UNGEI
  • UNESCO
  • World Bank
  • World Food Programme
  • World Vision International

About the Global Partnership for Education

GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world’s learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support nearly 90 lower-income countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
www.globalpartnership.org

About W24

W24 (World 24hours) debuted in 2018 and rose to prominence by winning the prestigious Asian Top Band competition, a joint production by seven Asian countries, cementing their status as a leading Asian band.

Known for inspiring music themed around connection, hope, and love, W24 has built a strong global fanbase, particularly in Latin America, the CIS region, and Europe. W24 was the first Korean artist to perform at Chile's national Teleton event in 2018. They followed this with numerous international milestones, including the STAY A MOMENT Latin American tour (2019), UK and Japan tours (2022), the Born Again Tour across the UK and the Americas (2023), and the K-INDIE Festival in Berlin (2024). Their popularity extended to Russia, where they joined the VK Festival and toured the CIS region in 2024.

W24 continues their international journey, with upcoming tours planned across Latin America, the CIS region, and Europe in 2025.

Media contact

Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications

@email

Tel: +1 202 948 5395

Members of K-Pop group W24

Members of K-Pop group W24

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