The United Nations (UN) International Day of Education (IDE) is annually observed across the globe on 24 January to celebrate the role of education in peace and development.
- 24 January 2024 marks the 6th observance of the International Day of Education.
The 2024 theme of IDE is “Learning for Lasting Peace”.
- As the specialized UN agency for education, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) facilitates the annual observance of IDE in close collaboration with main education actors.
Background:
i.On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/73/25 proclaiming 24 January of every year as International Day of Education.
- The resolution was co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other Member States.
ii.The 1st ever International Day of Education was celebrated on 24 January 2019.
Significance of IDE 2024:
i.In 2024, UNESCO has dedicated the IDE to celebrate the pivotal role education and teachers play in combating the escalating issue of hate speech, especially in the digital age.
ii.The transformative role of education in shaping a peaceful future gained global recognition in November 2023 with UNESCO’s adoption of the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development.
iii.This decision was endorsed by all 194 UNESCO Member States at the 42nd session of the General Conference.
- It establishes a comprehensive framework for utilizing education as a catalyst for lasting peace and human development.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4:
SDG 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030.
Key Points:
i.According to a UNESCO report in November 2023, the number of out-of-school children and youth has increased by 6 million since 2021.
ii.It is attributed partly to the exclusion of girls and young women from education in Afghanistan, coupled with a broader stagnation in global education progress.
2024 Events:
i.UNESCO and the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning organised a high-level panel on Learning for Lasting Peace on the occasion of IDE on 24 January 2024 at UN Headquarters, New York, the United States of America (USA).
ii.On 24 January 2024, UNESCO organised a one-day online MasterClass “Deconstructing hate speech” for several thousand teachers, school leaders, and pedagogical teams from around the world.
