How should philanthropy support young people in this perilous time in U.S. history? The confluence of a global pandemic, an economic crisis, and a nationwide call for racial justice will fundamentally alter the lives of all American learners. Change is inevitable, but whether it will widen inequity or result in systemic change that narrows…

Reports such as this typically begin with a statistic designed to highlight a problem. The girls and boys to whom this edition of "The State of the World's Children" is dedicated are not problems. Rather, each is a sister, brother or friend who has a favourite dish, song or game; a daughter or son with dreams and the desire to fulfil…