From peace to climate change: education in the spotlight at the General Conference
The 42nd session of UNESCO's General Conference was held in Paris from November 7 to 22, 2023. It was punctuated by several high points for education, which highlighted the importance of learning in promoting peace and protecting the planet, as well as the crucial role of teachers in this respect.
November 20 was a landmark day: member states adopted the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development. This is the only international standard-setting instrument that defines how education should be used to achieve sustainable peace and human development. The newly adopted version updates the 1974 Recommendation, which has been the subject of a two-year revision to meet today's major challenges and tomorrow's upheavals.
The General Conference also approved the establishment of a new UNESCO International Institute for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) in Shanghai, China. This institute will help countries around the world to develop quality STEM education, and will bring together the resources, skills and tools for international collaboration needed to meet the challenges and opportunities in this field.
The role of education in building sustainable peace
On November 8, a high-level ministerial dialogue on peace education brought together voices from around the world to define what quality, relevant learning for real and lasting change should look like. World-renowned artist Michelangelo Pistoletto shared his thoughts on the meaning of peace in today's context, and how to make it a reality for current and future generations of learners.
UNESCO also teamed up with France Télévisions to organize the Prix de la jeunesse pour la paix, an international school competition. seven classes were awarded prizes for their paintings, videos, music and other art forms.
During the second part of the event, 49 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Education took the floor to talk about their vision of the active role of education in peace-building, best practices in the field of education and the role of education in peace-building.In the second part of the event, Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Education took the floor to talk about their vision of the active role of education in peace-building, best practices in their countries, challenges and lessons learned, and opportunities for further strengthening peace education.
Celebrating teachers and supporting their profession
UNESCO has joined forces with the Task Force on Teachers, the Varkey Foundation and Dubai Cares to put teachers in the spotlight.
The highlights of the first World Report on Teachers produced by UNESCO and the Task Force on Teachers were presented on November 8. The publication reveals that the world is facing a global shortage of teachers, with 44 million needed in primary and secondary education to provide quality education for all by 2030.
The event was also marked by the award ceremony for the 2023 World Teachers' Prize. This was awarded to Sister Zeph from Pakistan, who founded her own school for underprivileged children.
Teaching sustainable development and preparing every learner for climate change
A thematic meeting on education for sustainable development and climate change took place on November 9. On this occasion, this year's UNESCO-Japan Prize for Education for Sustainable Development was awarded to to the Long Way Home association (Guatemala), Kanazawa University (Japan) and the Permaculture Institute of Zimbabwe. The ceremony was followed by a round table on the greening of education, detailing the mission and work of the Partnership for Greener Education.
Combating the rise of anti-Semitism through education
On November 16, UNESCO organized an urgent discussion on the role of education in combating the recent global upsurge in anti-Semitism. This high-level round table brought together specialists from academia, teaching, civil society and international organizations to discuss the impact of anti-Semitism on teachers and learners in different parts of the world, and the support they need. Participants also highlighted measures that could be taken at different levels - from policy formulation to the regulation of digital platforms - to combat polarization and hatred. Ms. Giannini presented the global educational action to combat anti-Semitism that UNESCO has been advocating since 2018.
UNESCO Associated Schools Network: 70 years of transformative education
The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, providing an opportunity to look back on the rich history of UNESCO's oldest and largest network of schools.s oldest and largest network of schools, dedicated to promoting transformative education and empowering learners for peace and sustainability. An exhibition was held at UNESCO headquarters during the General Conference session. It highlighted the major initiatives deployed by ASPnet to promote peace and defend sustainable development through more than 12,000 schools in 182 countries.
The future of educational planning
Another anniversary was celebrated on the sidelines of the General Conference session: The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) celebrated 60 years of helping countries plan and manage their education systems. A symposium not only reviewed the Institute's major milestones, but also charted the way forward for educational planning, taking into account new trends and perspectives in key areas of planning and management.
High-Level Steering Committee's Leaders' Group unites for the achievement of SDG 4
The annual meeting of the ODD 4 - Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee Leaders' Group was held on November 8 on the sidelines of the General Conference session. It had several important objectives, including reporting on progress related to SDG 4 and the Summit commitments on education transformation; defining the next phases of funding initiatives; concluding the work of outgoing Committee members; and announcing new members for 2024-2025. The Steering Committee is preparing to maintain the political momentum for next steps, such as the emphasis placed on climate change education by the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).rence of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), next year's UNESCO World Education Meeting, and the Summit of the Future. It is committed to holding governments accountable for their actions and leading efforts to rethink national and international funding for education.
Source: www.unesco.org/
