Paris, January 25, 2026 – The Europe Today: UNESCO on January 24, 2026 marked the International Day of Education, reaffirming education as a fundamental human right, a public good and a shared public responsibility, according to media reports.
The observance, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, highlights the central role of education in promoting peace, sustainable development and human dignity worldwide.
In an official statement, UNESCO stressed that without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, countries will not be able to achieve gender equality or break persistent cycles of poverty. The organization noted that around 250 million children and young people worldwide remain out of school, while some 763 million adults are illiterate, describing the continued violation of the right to education as unacceptable and calling for systemic transformation of education systems.
This year’s theme, “The power of youth in co-creating education,” places young people at the center of global education reform. UNESCO pointed out that people under the age of 30 account for more than half of the world’s population and represent a major force for innovation and social change. At the same time, the organization noted that young people are disproportionately affected by inequality, poverty and limited access to quality education and decent employment.
To mark the day, UNESCO is hosting a series of hybrid and online events at its headquarters in Paris, bringing together youth, students and international decision-makers. The discussions are focusing on meaningful youth participation in education policymaking, student-led initiatives and the role of young people in rethinking teaching and learning in the context of rapid technological change.
UNESCO emphasized that engaging youth as active partners in shaping education systems is essential to ensure inclusive and future-oriented learning, and to advance Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
