Education plays a key role in poverty reduction and social development. About 125 million children and youths worldwide have no access to basic education; nearly one billion adults can neither read nor write. That is why furthering education is of central importance in development cooperation.

Promotion of education principally aims to give people – especially girls – the skills they need to participate socially and politically and to overcome social disadvantages; it encourages people to live together peacefully. It promotes a new culture of learning, lays the foundations for independent life-long learning and supports educational innovation.

Integrated educational approaches include processes both in and outside of school and cover various target groups, age levels and contexts. The strengthening of educational systems – involving, among other things, education policy and reforms, basic and in-service teacher training, and curriculum development – creates opportunity for young and old to learn. Off-school promotion of children and youths addresses their life circumstances, needs, and abilities as social players. Promotion in the field of university education and the increased application of new information and communication technologies (ICT) promote continuing education processes.

GTZ is helping more than 30 countries guarantee the human right of "education for all". We invite you to learn more about our work in the education sector on the following pages: