ALUMNI NEWS
Q&A with Justin van Fleet, Ph.D.
President, Theirworld & Executive Director, Global Business Coalition for Education
Justin van Fleet '02, Ph.D., president of Theirworld, an international children's charity dedicated to ending the global education crisis, was highlighted on the Worthy's Top 100 list for the impact he is making on the world. Prior to his current role, van Fleet served as the chief of staff to the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education and as the director of the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity. Profile recently spoke to van Fleet about his experiences, his mission to help young people and his global impact.
How did it feel when you learned that you were part of Worthy's Top 100 for 2023?
It was a real shock to learn I had been included in Worth Magazine’s Worthy 100 list, especially alongside so many incredible changemakers ranging from John Kerry and Judy Blume to Will.I.am and Taylor Swift!
How do you describe your positions with Theirworld and Global Business Coalition for Education to those who may not understand the concept of "global education?"
My job is about helping as many young people have the chance to go to school and reach their full potential through education.
The challenge we are facing is quite serious. In the U.S. and around the world, our education systems are leaving behind more than 50% of young people. These are children who will never have preschool or elementary school, start school and drop out early, or receive such a poor quality education, they will not have had the opportunity to reach their potential.
The result - by 2030, more than 825 million children and youth will not have mastered even the most basic reading and math skills necessary for employment or participation in society.
Van Fleet sits with a child writing at the education center in Kos.
Providing educational opportunities and harnessing the potential of the next generation promotes economic growth, makes our communities safer and our country more secure, leads to new innovations, fosters a rich arts and cultural community, and creates greater social cohesion. If we do not live up to the challenge, we will face increasing poverty levels, stunted economic growth, and broader human development and security challenges.
I believe it’s possible to give every child the best start in life, a safe place to learn, and skills for the future – and by investing in people and policies in the United States and around the world, everyone can benefit from education.
You grew up in Western Maryland and attended FSU - majoring in International Studies and Foreign Language and Literature. What skills did you learn at Frostburg to help you prepare for this incredible position?
Frostburg’s diverse student body helped me learn how to collaborate and work in teams with other people, appreciate different perspectives and learn it was OK not to have all the answers. Frostburg made me more curious about the world and keen to learn different ways of thinking about collective challenges.
Van Fleet meets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the 3rd Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen hosted in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sept. 6, 2023.
What are some of your fondest memories of Frostburg?
I have very fond memories of participating in the Model United Nations and the Model Organization of American States while at Frostburg. I also remember the stress of studying for final exams with my friends -- at the time I wasn’t so fond of the experience, but it really instilled a sense of discipline. But most importantly, are the friends I made through the process, many of whom I am still in touch with today.
With so much of the world in crisis right now, how do your organizations ensure that children continue to receive education, even at wartime?
We are doing a lot of work to ensure education in emergencies. For example, we have a major initiative in Ukraine, helping to connect teachers and students to education using devices provided by major technology companies. Our program in Ukraine has impacted more than 1.6 million children, and we’re working hard to help even more children on the frontlines bombings from Russia who are unable to go to school have opportunities for remote learning. We also set up a program in the Greek Islands to support refugee children fleeing more than 60 countries in hopes of a better future who found themselves in camps with horrendous living conditions. The program was then implemented by UNICEF and the Greek government.
Van Fleet joins Theirworld's Mini U.S. delegation at the World Bank Spring Meetings. The tiny leaders are calling on governments worldwide to Act For Early Years and properly invest in our very youngest.
I think we will find as climate change and natural disasters disrupt education at an increasing rate, we will be working even harder to ensure every child has a safe place to learn during an emergency. It’s so important to provide a sense of normalcy and psychosocial support for children experiencing crisis so they can have hope for the future and be part of lasting solutions for peace.
How can individuals be advocates to make education available to children around the world?
Everyone can make a difference. Young people under the age of 28 can apply to our 2-year Global Youth Ambassador program, which provides training on education issues and helps young people be campaigners for education in their local communities.
It’s also possible to donate to support one of our many projects or campaigns helping marginalized children in the U.S. and around the world have the chance of a brighter future through education on the Theirworld Donate page.
I’d also encourage anyone who is interested to sign up for our updates to learn more about our work at the Theirworld website.
Theirworld's event "Act For Early Years: Accelerating the Movement to Unlock Investment in the Early Years" on Sept. 20, 2023, during the United Nations General Assembly.
What are your future career plans? Any other areas of interest you would like to explore in relation to education?
I have recently taken on a new career – as a father! Having a son of my very own has really focused my attention on education opportunity in the United States, particularly preschool education.
We did a recent survey at Theirworld and found that more than one in four parents (27%) have quit a job or dropped out of education to avoid the soaring cost of childcare and 59% said their childcare expenses have increased in the last six months.
We need to get the first five years of a child’s life right—and make sure we can provide quality early childhood care and education to every single child. Helping a child in the early years should not be financially crippling, so I have become more interested in how we can act for the early years.
Van Fleet is the President of Theirworld.
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