The members of the G-8 Education Ministerial met in Moscow on June 1-2, 2006 and today issued the Moscow Declaration to confirm their commitment to cooperation and innovation in education at all levels. Recognizing the common challenges and opportunities that countries face in the 21st century, the delegation pledged to share best practices across borders, so that students can benefit from the experience and expertise of all nations. This will help all countries build effective, innovative and inclusive education systems that can allow people to fulfill their potential, to live in and contribute to a global society, and to work in a global economy. Following are excerpts from Secretary Margaret Spelling's remarks at the closing session of the meeting:

"I strongly support Russian Education and Science Minister Fursenko's call to jointly issue the Moscow Declaration of the G-8 Education Ministers."

"This declaration is more than just words on paper – they are words to live by and words to act on."

"This G-8 Education Ministerial is an important forum to discuss issues and the mutuality of the needs we have and the challenges we face."

"This is the beginning of a journey I hope all of us will walk together."

To view the Moscow Declaration, please visit: http://en.g8russia.ru/news/20060602/1151807.html

For more information on education initiatives, please visit: www.ed.gov

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