Education has long been recognized as the cornerstone of human achievement, progress, empowerment, and societal advancement. Leaders across the globe, throughout history, have consistently emphasized the importance of education for all individuals, irrespective of their caste, religion, or gender. To underscore the global commitment to providing equitable education opportunities, the United Nations annually observes the International Day of Education on January 24.
In its dedication to the International Day of Education on January 24, 2024, UNESCO sheds light on the pivotal role that education and teachers play in addressing the alarming rise of hate speech, particularly exacerbated by the pervasive use of social media. This phenomenon poses a threat to the fabric of societies, making it imperative to focus on the role of education in countering these challenges.
This year marks the sixth celebration of the International Day of Education, themed ‘Learning for lasting peace.’ A series of events, including a ‘High-level dialogue on learning for lasting peace’ at UNHQ (New York) and a festival centred around ‘Learning to take care of oneself, others and the planet,’ are planned to commemorate this significant day.
The theme ‘learning for lasting peace’ for 2024 is chosen in response to the global surge in violent conflicts, coupled with a troubling increase in discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech. The theme underscores the urgent need for an active commitment to peace, with education playing a central role. This aligns with the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development. The vision for learning for peace is transformative, intending to equip learners with the requisite knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviours to become effective agents of peace within their communities.
The International Day of Education was established on December 3, 2018, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared January 24 as a day to globally celebrate the significance of education. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the accessibility of education and its universal importance. Since then, January 24 has been globally recognized and celebrated as the International Day of Education.
Underlining the importance of the day, current UNESCO data indicates a sobering reality – 250 million children and youth are not enrolled in schools, and 763 million adults grapple with illiteracy. This stark revelation highlights the global challenge of upholding the Right to Education and emphasizes the universal importance of education for fostering a brighter and more secure future for individuals, regardless of their geographical location.
As part of the International Day of Education 2024 celebrations, the United Nations will host two noteworthy events: ‘International Day of Education: Learning for Lasting Peace’ and ‘Raise Your Hand.’ The former will be a non-governmental session held in the United States, providing a platform for in-depth discussions on the critical role of education in fostering lasting peace and countering hate speech.
