In 2018, 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.
This year’s theme is “The power of youth in co-creating education”. The International Day of Education 2026 will recognise youth and their role as agents of change in achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
UNESCO is marking the day with two events in Paris, and will release on this occasion a new global measurement by the Global Education Monitoring Report assessing student and youth participation in education legislation and policymaking and introduce the new cohort of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network. It will also be an occasion to showcase UNESCO’s action for youth across the globe, as a tangible expression of ‘UNESCO for the people’.
- 23 January 2026, from 10:00 to 13:00 (CET)
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, and online webcast
Global event convening youth and students alongside international decision-makers
– Register to participate in person
- 23 January 2026, from 15:00 to 17:00 (CET)
Online youth-led event featuring young people’s stories and their role in advancing quality education in crisis-affected contexts, organized by the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network in cooperation with other UNESCO networks and partners, notably the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)
– Register to participate online
Education partners are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration and help amplify youth voices across your networks. Learn how.
Other events by EiE Hub members
- The International Parliamentary Network for Education is organising a high-level event for MPs on “Renewing international cooperation to accelerate educational progress”, which will highlight the important role of development assistance in education and celebrate governments that are supporting development cooperation. The event takes place online on 22 January at 13:00 CET, and you can register to attend here.
- Save the Children is convening a roundtable discussion on “Education in the Sahel: A Vital Investment for Stability”. It will bring together key stakeholders – governments, donors, international and local organizations, as well as youth and teachers – to share experiences and define concrete recommendations for strengthening sustainable and flexible financing for education in the Sahel, an essential pillar for child protection, community stability, peace, and development. The event takes place on 22 January 2026 from 9:00 to 11:00 (UTC+0). Please contact Aissatou Gueye (Aissatou.Gueye@savethechildren.org) to confirm attendance.
