UNESCO learning cities around the world celebrate International Day of Education 2020
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. However, today, 258 million children and youth still do not attend school; some four million children and youth refugees are out of school; and 773 million adults around the world cannot read or write, most of them women. Their right to education is being denied. This is unacceptable.
On International Day of Education, 24 January 2020, the right to education will be celebrated around the world. UNESCO learning cities from all regions will join in by celebrating the joy of learning and by showing how learning can empower people, preserve the planet, build shared prosperity and foster peace. Learning cities are key drivers to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They promote good policy and practice, and foster sustainable development at various levels through lifelong learning.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as 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.
About the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, coordinated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
2020 CELEBRATIONS
UNESCO Learning City of Gdynia, Poland
UNESCO Learning City of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (coming up)
UNESCO Learning City of Pecs, Hungary (International Day of Education programme)
UNESCO Learning City of Hamburg, Germany (coming up)
UNESCO Learning City of Balanga, Philippines (coming up)