International Day of Education 2023: Education must be prioritized to accelerate progress towards the Global Goals

Cities are standard-bearers in the fight for universal education

According to the latest data, an estimated 244 million children and youth worldwide are not in school, 763 million young people and adults are illiterate, and fewer than 5 per cent of the population aged 15-plus participate in adult education in almost one-third of countries across the globe. Their right to education is being violated.

To mark this year’s International Day of Education on 24 January, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is calling on the international community to increase efforts to promote a universal right to education, regardless of age, background or geographical location.

With over half of humanity currently living in cities and an estimated two-thirds of the population expected to reside in urban areas by 2050, local communities are key to ensuring lifelong learning opportunities are available to all by 2030.

Investing in people at the local level

In line with this year’s International Day of Education theme, ‘Invest in people; prioritize education’, 294 UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) have positioned lifelong learning at the top of their agendas, thereby advancing inclusive learning from early childhood to the third age. By mobilizing resources across diverse sectors to live up to the international commitment of providing everyone with an opportunity to learn throughout life, UNESCO GNLC members celebrate lifelong learning and demonstrate how local communities fulfil the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Background on International Day of Education

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as the International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. 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.
 

Background on the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international, policy-oriented network providing inspiration, know-how and best practice. Members benefit from the sharing of lifelong learning policies and practices, the production and exchange of knowledge on key challenges and solutions, capacity-building and training initiatives, and participation in global events such as the International Conference on Learning Cities.

Further information

• International Day of Education website
• Website of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities