Obviously, we are still far from achieving the goal of basic education for all. We must do better. I will use the Dakar platform to launch a new United Nations initiative for girls' education. Educating girls is about more than achieving universal school enrolment, however. It is also a development strategy with immediate benefits in health, nutrition and income.
Universities provide the logical extension to basic education for all.
The university is equally a development tool for Africa, as Vartan has indicated. Key to this is bridging the digital divide. At present, less than half a per cent of all Africans have used the Internet. This lack of access to new technology leads to exclusion from the global economy as well. The digital revolution has created new opportunities for growth in every field and industry.