Press Release

24/04/2008

Nirj Deva MEP launches 'One Laptop per Child' scheme to improve education in underdeveloped countries

A laptop for every child aged between 6 and 12 allowing them to network and learn is the aim of a revolutionary and very ambitious initiative which was launched today by Nirj Deva MEP, EPP-ED Coordinator of the Development Committee in the European Parliament.

Mr Deva said: "The idea of providing extremely rugged, sun-powered laptop computers for millions of children around the world in desperate need of up-to-date learning material and educational programmes, is a revolutionary and also very ambitious initiative. I truly hope this can be turned into a new policy goal of the UN's Millennium Initiative."

Today's launch also encompassed a presentation of the laptop by people involved in the non-profit project, initiated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA. Mr Deva added:

"At the centre of the laptop's use is learning in a new and very intuitive way that will appeal to children. It makes learning and communicating fun. It can help young people and also give them a unique possibility to network with each other. It will, however, require a strong political will to get this project going, and I think we must now focus on this task".

Click here for more information on the One Laptop per Child project.

For further information
Nirj Deva MEP, Tel: +32-2-2831559, nirj.deva@europarl.europa.eu
Peter Wilding, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-473-861762

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.