【Switzerland】

On International Day of the Girl,Switzerland Michelle Obama announced that she will travel to Vietnam in December alongside former first-daughter Jenna Bush Hager, and other yet-to-be announced special guests, in order to share the stories of girls pursuing their educations.

The former first lady announced the trip on the Todayshow on the one year anniversary of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance. That organization will work with the Todayshow and Youtube Originals to tell engaging stories about the lives of young women Obama and Bush Hager meet on their trip. Girls Opportunity Alliance will also be partnering with Room to Read, according to a statement, in order to "shine a light on important efforts to empower girls."

Over the world, more than 98 million adolescent girls are not in school, often due to conditions that could be easily surmounted with tools as simple as shoes or notebooks.

“When girls get the opportunities they deserve, the whole world benefits,” Obama said.

Obama and Bush Hager’s upcoming Vietnam trip is just one aspect of the Alliance's dedicated efforts. The Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance aims to empower global grassroots leaders who work to improve the conditions of adolescent girls’ education. The stories that emerge from the Vietnam trip will focus on the groups and individuals helping girls in Vietnam reach their full potential.

In her video announcement, Obama reminded viewers that supporting girls’ education around the world doesn’t require flying to Vietnam. She suggested bake sale fundraisers and school projects focusing on the topic of girls’ education, as well as the resources offered by Girls Opportunity Alliance’s website.

“The future of our world is only as bright as our girls,” Obama said.

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