Why is International Education Day celebrated?

Education is a fundamental pillar in the development of society. It is an essential human right that drives progress, equality and well-being around the world. To highlight the importance of education, International Education Day is celebrated.

Education is considered a basic and universal human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, establishes in its article 26 that "everyone has the right to education." This means that, regardless of ethnicity, gender, nationality or socioeconomic status, everyone has the right to access quality education.

This right is fundamental for individual empowerment and equal opportunities. Education not only provides knowledge and skills, but also fosters social inclusion, economic mobility and civic participation. It is a means to break the cycle of poverty, promote gender equality and build more just and sustainable societies.

The Origin of International Education Day

International Education Day has been celebrated on January 24 every year since 2019. This date was designated by the United Nations to commemorate the importance of education and highlight efforts to improve access to quality education around the world. .

The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 73/25 on December 3, 2018, proclaiming January 24 as International Education Day. The resolution was an important step in recognizing that education plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

The choice of this date is not random. January 24 is the anniversary of the adoption of the Incheon Framework for Action for Education 2030, which is a global framework for cooperation to improve the quality of education around the world. This framework emphasizes the importance of inclusive and equitable education and aligns closely with the SDGs .

The Sustainable Development Goals and Education

The Sustainable Development Goals are a series of ambitious goals that the United Nations has set out to achieve by 2030. Education plays a key role in achieving many of these goals. Let's look at some examples:

SDG 1: End Poverty: Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. It provides people with the skills and knowledge necessary to access better economic opportunities and improve their living conditions.

SDG 4: Quality Education: This objective focuses directly on the promotion of inclusive and equitable quality education. It seeks to ensure that everyone has access to an education that encourages lifelong learning.

SDG 5: Gender Equality: Education plays a fundamental role in promoting gender equality. Through education, gender barriers can be eliminated and women and girls empowered.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Education provides the skills necessary to access decent jobs and contribute to economic growth.

SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities: Equitable education is a means to reduce inequalities. It ensures that everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural background.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Education promotes active and conscious citizenship, contributing to peaceful and just societies.

Education, therefore, is an essential pillar for achieving the 2030 Agenda and a crucial component in the fight against poverty, inequality and other global challenges.

UNESCO's Role in the Promotion of Education

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting education around the world. UNESCO plays a key role in promoting quality education, gender equality in education and the preservation of cultural heritage.

UNESCO works closely with Member States and other organizations to develop policies and programs that improve education around the world. In addition, UNESCO is responsible for monitoring the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on education.

Despite progress in promoting education, there are still many challenges globally that hinder access to quality education. Some of the most pressing challenges include:

Lack of access to education : In many parts of the world, access to education remains limited, especially in rural areas and disadvantaged communities.
Inequality in education: Gender, socioeconomic, and ethnic inequality persist in many regions, limiting educational opportunities for certain population groups.
The quality of education: It is not enough to guarantee access to education; It is also essential that education is of quality and focused on learning.
Underinvestment in education: In some countries, investment in education is insufficient, making it difficult to improve educational facilities and train teachers.
Conflict and humanitarian crises: In areas affected by conflict and humanitarian crises, education is often disrupted, which has a lasting impact on future generations.
Technological challenges: The technological revolution poses challenges and opportunities in education, such as access to online education and digital skills training.
Sustainability : Education must also address issues related to sustainability and climate change to prepare future generations to face these global challenges.

International Education Day in Action

International Education Day is an opportunity to reflect on these challenges and take concrete steps to address them. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the importance of education and mobilizing governments, non-governmental organizations, educators, students and society in general to work together to improve education around the world.

Each year, International Education Day has a specific theme that highlights a particular aspect of education. These topics usually focus on current and relevant issues in the field of education. Examples of past topics include “Education and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic” and “Education and sustainability.”

Activities related to International Education Day can vary widely. They can include conferences, debates, round tables, educational programs, awareness campaigns, cultural events and much more. Additionally, social media plays an important role in spreading messages related to the importance of education.

Education and Gender Equality

Gender equality is a central issue in the promotion of education. Education is a powerful means to empower women and girls, which has a positive impact on the entire society. When girls have equal access to quality education, it opens up opportunities for their personal and professional development.

However, globally, gender inequalities persist in education. Girls and women often face barriers to accessing education, such as gender discrimination, restrictive cultural norms, and lack of resources. International Education Day provides a platform to address these inequalities and promote gender equality in education.

Education in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on education around the world. With the closure of schools and the interruption of in-person classes, the importance of education in our lives has become more evident than ever. It has also highlighted the existing inequalities in access to education and the digital divide.

The pandemic has forced educators, students and families to adapt to new forms of online learning and confront technological challenges. Despite these difficulties, education has proven resilient and has continued to play a critical role in developing skills and promoting lifelong learning.

In this context, International Education Day takes on even greater importance, as it is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that the pandemic has posed to education and to highlight the need to invest in educational infrastructure, teacher training and education technologies. the information and the comunication.

Education as a Driver of Social Change

Education is not only a means to acquire knowledge and skills, but also an engine of social change. When people have access to quality education, they can positively influence their communities and societies. Some ways that education contributes to social change include:

Individual Empowerment: Education gives people the power to make informed decisions about their lives and future.
Economic mobility: A quality education opens doors to better job opportunities and greater economic mobility.
Citizen participation: Education promotes active participation in political and civic life, which strengthens democracy.
Reducing violence and conflict: Societies with higher levels of education tend to be less violent and more peaceful.
Health promotion: Education is also linked to better health, as educated people tend to make healthier choices.
Sustainability: Education is essential to understanding and addressing sustainability issues, such as climate change and environmental conservation.

The Role of Teachers in Education

Teachers play a fundamental role in education. They are responsible for imparting knowledge, promoting learning and modeling values and skills in their students. The quality of education is closely related to the quality of teachers. However, in many parts of the world, teachers face significant challenges. They may face precarious working conditions, lack of resources and insufficient support for their professional development. International Education Day is an opportunity to recognize and value the work of teachers and to advocate for fair working conditions and salaries.

Education and Sustainable Development

Education plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development. Education for sustainable development focuses on instilling knowledge and values that promote environmental, social and economic sustainability. The objectives of this education include:

Environmental awareness: Promote understanding of environmental problems and promote action for their mitigation.
Citizen participation: Train people to actively participate in decision-making related to sustainable development.
Equity and social justice: Promote equal opportunities and justice in access to resources and benefits.
Life Skills: Develop skills that enable people to make informed decisions and lead sustainable lives.
Preservation of cultural heritage: Value and preserve cultural and natural heritage.

Education for sustainable development is essential to address current environmental and social challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality.

Education as a Conflict Prevention Tool

Education also plays an important role in conflict prevention and peace building. When people have access to quality education, they are better prepared to understand cultural differences, resolve conflicts peacefully, and participate in peacebuilding processes.

Intercultural education and promoting understanding between different ethnic groups and cultures are key elements in conflict prevention. Furthermore, education can help overcome discrimination and promote social inclusion, which in turn reduces the possibility of conflicts based on cultural or ethnic differences.

The Future of Education

As we move into the 21st century, education faces new challenges and opportunities. The technological revolution is transforming the way we learn and teach. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are revolutionizing online education and opening new distance learning possibilities.

Online education and distance education have proven vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also pose challenges in terms of access to technology and the training needed to use it effectively. It is essential to ensure that all people, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, have access to these online educational opportunities. In addition to technology, education also faces challenges in terms of financing, quality, inequality and sustainability. As society evolves, it is essential that education evolves with it and remains relevant to the needs of individuals and communities.