Universal primary education was one of the UN Millennium Development Goals for 2015, but it remains an issue, especially in conflict-ridden and impoverished nations. Universal education provides equal opportunities and economic and social benefits to countries. It also fosters greater tolerance between citizens. Belgium supports universal primary education and has high education spending and attainment rates. To further progress, Belgium proposes ensuring safe transportation and infrastructure for all students, reallocating inefficient spending, and leveraging technology to reach remote and special needs students.

1. Position Paper
Committee: Economic and Social Council
Topic: Strategies to Guarantee Universal Primary Education
Country: Belgium
Name: Julia Araiz Miranda
Universal primary education was one of the Millenium developing goals to be achieved by 2015.
Despite the improvements, there is still a long way to go before guaranteeing Universal primary
education, specially, as previous studies have shown, in conflictive and extremely poor countries.
Universal access to education provides equal opportunities to people. It gives new generations the
tools to improve the economic, social and political status of each country. Not only that, but it
would also make a difference in international security, given that citizens who have had the chance
to access education show, in general, more tolerance towards others and are more likely to have
ambitious goals in life. Those are the reasons why universal education still continues to be one of
the Millenium Developing Goals to be achieved by the United Nations, just as Julia Gillard, former
Prime Minister of Australia, stated “If we're going to make a long-term change, education is the
best place to do that.”
Undoubtedly related to this, the UN adopted the resolution entitled “Education for democracy” in
the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, on 16 November 2016. In fact, education can
contribute to the world’s development and, consequently, the delegation of Belgium has always
believed on the importance of “providing universal education” and therefore, not only did Belgium
support this resolution, but taking into account what the resolution states, Belgium also adopted
some measures. Among them, Belgium has launched some major school reforms, which aim to
improve key competences and vocational education and training. Thus, the general government
investment on education as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is among the highest in
the European Union (6.4% compared to the EU average of 5%). In addition, Belgian school
attainment rate has also improved since then.
This delegation places good education as the top priority, and highlighting its achievements,
proposes some solutions to the issue. Firstly, Belgium is totally aware that many children do not
attend school, given that they work to help the economic status of their families improve, or
because of gender discrimination, of the danger that it involves, or even due to the fact that some
indigenous people consider it an imposition of culture. However, as noticed before, providing

2. education is the only possibility that could really assure their families a future. That is why, no
matter the particular situation, every person should be guaranteed school attendance until a certain
age. This entails gender discrimination and child labour should actually be prohibited in all
countries and no exception shall be done. In addition, for ensuring the security of students school
transport or “safe routes” must be provided, so that minors do not have to travel long distances on
their own or in risky circumstances. What’s more, the school infrastructure must also be totally
prepared for emergencies (security cameras, fences, alarms, and so on). This delegation is aware of
the lack of funds in these countries. However, it is important to point out that at a global level,
5,000 millions of US dollars are wasted each year due to inefficiencies in the administrative and
repetitive work, which means that revising actual uses of current budgets could allow more funds to
be invested in education. Besides, collaboration between NGOs, UN organizations and local
governments has already brought some excellent results in countries such as Bangladesh,
Afghanistan or Tanzania. And, last but not least, technology can play an outstanding role for the
enrollment of girls and boys from rural areas and could also immensely benefit special needs
students.