24 January is commemorated as the International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Background On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted with consensus a resolution proclaiming 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. The adoption of the resolution 73/25 “International Day of Education”, co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other 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. UNESCO, as the specialized United Nations agency for education, facilitates the annual observance of the Day in close collaboration with main education actors. Education key to development Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. Education is a human right The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all. Education is key to sustainable development When it adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015, the international community recognized that education is essential for the success of all 17 of its goals. Sustainable Development Goal 4, in particular, aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. Theme for 2026 - The power of youth in co-creating education The 18th International Day of Education will be celebrated on 24 January 2026 under the theme “The power of youth in co-creating education". t inspires reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities navigate, understand and influence technological advancement. Youth under 30 constitute more than half of the global population. They are a driving force for sustainable development, innovation and social transformation, yet they remain disproportionately affected by poverty, inequality and limited access to quality education and decent work opportunities. When it comes to shaping the future of education, youth have a special role to play: they are the beneficiaries of education programmes and their future depends on it. For this reason, meaningfully engaging students and youth in co-creating the education they want is essential to meet their aspirations and ambitions. This is particularly true at a time of radical transformation induced by the technological revolution, which calls for rethinking the purpose and modalities of teaching and learning. This commitment aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes the role of youth as agents of change in achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and building peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Objectives of the Day Take stock of national efforts to involve youth in educational decision-making. Showcase how agencies are leading the way by giving youth a voice in decision-making bodies Introducr tools to ensure meaningful youth engagement in education at school and beyond Highlight youth-led initiatives in crisis-affected contexts that help safeguard the right to education for all, particularly for the most marginalized. Source : UN