International Day of Education
UNESCO, as the specialized United Nations agency for education, facilitates the annual observance of the Day ( 24 January) in close collaboration with main education actors. The adoption of the resolution 73/25 “International Day of Education”, co-authored by the UN Member States, demonstrated the unwavering political will to support transformative actions for inclusive, equitable and quality education for all. By doing so, the international community reiterated that education plays a key role in building sustainable and resilient societies, and contributes to the achievement of all other Sustainable Development Goals. With a view to enhance international cooperation in supporting the efforts towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 4, the resolution called on all stakeholders including Member States, organizations of the UN system, and civil society, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, individuals and other relevant stakeholders to observe the International Day of Education.
FORUM : International Day of Education 2021 "Recover and revitalize education for the COVID-19 generation."
The International Education Day occurs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a global learning disruption of unprecedented scale and severity. The closure of schools, universities and other learning institutions, as well as the interruption of many literacy and lifelong learning programmes, has affected the lives of 1.6 billion students in over 190 countries. As a new year begins, now is the time to step up collaboration and international solidarity to place education and lifelong learning at the centre of the recovery and the transformation towards more inclusive, safe and sustainable societies.
Challenges to achieving universal education: Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. But about 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
STATEMENTS
Statement by António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) on the occasion of the International Day of Education 2021.
When education is interrupted, it affects everyone – especially students, teachers and families.
Today, on the third International Day of Education, I pay tribute to their resilience in the face of a pandemic that, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.
Although this disruption has led to learning innovations, it has also dashed hopes of a brighter future among vulnerable populations.
All of us pay the price.
After all, education is the foundation for expanding opportunities, transforming economies, fighting intolerance, protecting our planet and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
As the world continues to battle the pandemic, education – as a fundamental right and a global public good – must be protected to avert a generational catastrophe.
Even before the pandemic, some 258 million children and adolescents were out of school, the majority of them girls.
More than half of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries were not learning to read a simple text.
In 2021, we must seize all opportunities to turn this situation around.
We must ensure the full replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education fund, and strengthen global education cooperation.
We must also step up our efforts to reimagine education – training teachers, bridging the digital divide and rethinking curricula to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to flourish in our rapidly changing world.
Let us commit to promote education for all — today and every day.
Statement by Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the General Assembly on International Day of Education 2021.
“This International Day of Education and Lifelong Learning is like no other, as we contend with the greatest disruption to education in the history of the United Nations.
Today, over 300 million students are out of school, and almost 1.6 billion learners have experienced a disruption in education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I commend all teachers, who have adapted their classrooms and undertaken remote lessons in order to ensure continuity in education. I also applaud parents, who have done their utmost to facilitate learning at home.
Above all, I am thinking of all students around the world who are struggling to learn at home, perhaps missing their friends, feeling frustrated or despondent about the future. Do not despair. You will get through this difficult period and you will pursue your dreams.
It is up to the Member States to ensure this becomes a reality. We need to take urgent action in this Decade of Action and Delivery to invest in our education systems, including improving access to technology so that we can recover from this tumultuous period.
If we are to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, we need to build resilient, inclusive education systems that allow all students to return to school. To do so, we must meet the needs of those at risk of being left behind. Including children with disabilities and those living in conflict-affected areas, as well as the 11 million girls who are at risk of not re-entering the classroom.
Now is the time to re-commit to education.
I thank you”.
CAMPAIGN: Leverage Partnerships and funds to transform education. Global Partnership for Education.
With funding of at least $5 billion, leveraging resources and targeting them where they will have the most transformative impact, An investment in GPE ripples out across sectors, generating impact for generations. Strong education systems accelerate progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals by boosting economies; driving gender equality and helping build more inclusive societies; promoting health, nutrition and well-being; and building resilience against shocks from climate change and conflict. GPE can catalyze real change. A fully funded GPE will deliver a disproportionate impact that goes far beyond our direct investments
International Day of Education 2021 "Recover and revitalize education for the COVID-19 generation"
The third International Day of Education (January 24) is marked on Monday 25 January 2021 under the theme ‘Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation’. A global virtual event is organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CRI)
EVENT: Capturing the spirit of the International Day of Education, UNESCO and partners have spearheaded the Learning Planet Festival to Celebrate learning in all contexts and share innovations that fulfil the potential of every learner, no matter what their circumstances. The winners of an essay contest of “Le Petit Prince” will be unveiled as part of the Day’s celebrations.
PAST OBERVANCES
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION 2020: Education as a key to peace and sustainable development.
This Day will highlight the urgency to mobilize funding for education; give voice to 'community heroes' who acted to leave no learner behind during school closures and present innovations that pave the way towards more resilient and inclusive education systems. Show your support for education by raising your hand for education
Remarks by Mr.Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the President of the UN General Assembly on Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: toward the implementation of SDG 4 - 2020 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN.
(Part 1) Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: toward the implementation of SDG 4 - 2020 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN
17 Feb 2020 - -Opening session: The 2020 Parliamentary Hearing and the 75th UN Anniversary (Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th session of the General Assembly Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union).
Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: Toward the implementation of SDG 4. Education has long been recognized as a necessary precondition for sustainable development in all its dimensions – economic, social and environmental. Without an educated people there can be no democracy, no peace and no prosperity. Yet still today too many girls and boys lack access to public education or education that delivers quality outcomes, and the agenda of lifelong education for all, including working-age adults, is far from realized.
(Part 2) Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: toward the implementation of SDG 4 - 2020 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN.
17 Feb 2020 - - Education as a key instrument to empower women and girls (Beijing +25).
The poor, women and girls, migrants, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups have less access to educational opportunities than those who are better off. Around the world, education is often underfunded and unaffordable. While higher education is no longer a guarantee to a good job, in many countries there is a growing mismatch between workers’ knowledge and skills and actual employment opportunities in the real economy.
(Part 3) Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: toward the implementation of SDG 4 - 2020 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN.
18 Feb 2020 - The United Nations in the twenty-first century.
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development. This joint IPU-UN hearing will call for greater political resolve to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goal on education, SDG 4, is fully realized by 2030. As a priority theme of the 74th General Assembly, education is an important part of a series of events at the United Nations that will include the observance of the International Day of Education on 24 January.
(Part 4) Education as a key to peace and sustainable development: toward the implementation of SDG 4 - 2020 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the UN.
18 Feb 2020 - - Protecting our planet for future generations through education.
- Strengthening public funding for better outcomes in education.
- Closing session (Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th session of the General Assembly).
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION 2019; FIRST OBSERVANCE.
January 24th marks the inaugural celebration of the International Day of Education 2019. The United Nations will observe the International Day of Education for the first time to emphasize the action required to achieve the global education goals and targets in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The celebration will raise awareness on the key role of quality and relevant education for peace and development worldwide, including its contribution to poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and building peaceful and resilient societies. The event will bring together the voices of governments, the UN system, private sector, civil society, faith-based organizations, teachers, academia and youth, united in their call to make education a leading global priority.
Launch of the International Day of Education.
Panel 1: Importance of International Day of Education to Global Development.
Panel 2: Facilitating Inclusive Education Through Technological Innovation.
Event co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Nigeria, Singapore, Ireland and Qatar to the United Nations, in partnership with UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Women and Collegiate Congress to promote the 24 January: International Day of Education.