This book, a product of scholars and activists from across Africa, derives from three fundamental beliefs: (i) a belief that basic human rights to which everyone is entitled, and which are administered by, for and among African peoples, can contribute to thriving countries and a thriving continent; (ii) a belief that education is among the most important of all human rights and that every child deserves access to a quality education; (iii) a belief in the centrality of education to thriving democracies, where all participate on an equal basis in determining our common destinies and where all share in the fruits of our common effort. In Africa, as throughout the world, the effort to realize human rights and a quality education for all is a work in progress. Achieving success in this effort requires commitment and active participation at all levels of society and in all its institutions—from grassroots organizing at the local level, to a political process that responds to the needs of all society’s members, to a judiciary that protects human rights and prods the political process to live up to its responsibilities. The authors of this book hope that this project will help advance the cause.