There are currently 1800 million young people in the world between the ages of 10 and 24. It is the largest youth population in history. However, more than half of the children and adolescents (between 6 and 14 years old) do not know how to read or do not have the basic knowledge of Mathematics, although most of them attend school. This global learning crisis strongly threatens progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated August 12 as International Youth Day, an annual celebration that seeks to promote the role of young people as essential partners, within the processes of change, and create a space for raise awareness about the challenges and problems they face.
This year's theme highlights the efforts made in general to achieve a more inclusive and accessible education for all young people and, in particular, the efforts of young people themselves. This year, International Youth Day emphasizes Objective number 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
It is examined how governments, youth and youth-led organizations, as well as other stakeholders, are transforming education in order to make it a powerful tool for meeting the 2030 Agenda. Inclusive and accessible education is crucial to achieving sustainable development; and it can also play a key role in conflict prevention.
Therefore, education is a factor that enhances development, since it is essential to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty, health, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduction of inequalities, actions in favor of climate or peaceful societies.
Youth-led organizations, as well as youth themselves, together with other stakeholders and governments, work to transform education into a fundamental tool, both for sustainable development and for the full inclusion of various social groups.
Prior to International Youth Day, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with UNESCO, wants to carry out a campaign to transform our educational systems, making them more inclusive, equitable and relevant to the realities of the 21st century .