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Friends for Education call for modernized education systems
On 10 February 2022 the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning participated in the first consultation on Our Common Agenda convened by the President of the 76th session of the General Assembly HE Mr Abdulla Shahid  Focusing on the first thematic cluster Accelerating and scaling up the SDGs leaving noone behind the consultation provided an opportunity for an exchange between the SecretaryGeneral and Member states on the concrete proposals options and potential means of implementation of the Our Common Agenda  Elaborating on the way forward the SecretaryGeneral reiterated his plan to convene a summit on Transforming Education in September 2022 Proposed in Our Common Agenda as part of the focus on better representing young people and future generations the Summit will aim to avert a generational catastrophe and rethink education systems worldwide In her capacity as chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning HE Ms Njambi Kinyungu Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations participated at the meeting and delivered a message of Groups support and engagement with the preparation of the Transforming Education Summit  Underscoring that education is a key sector contributing to individuals empowerment nations economic growth social cohesion and improved protection of the planet she recalled lessons learned from the COVID19 pandemic including the need to keep learning amidst major global challenges such as environmental damage and climate change widening inequalities as well as rapid scientific and technological change Innovation and crossborder movement have also driven the demand for certain skills such as language mathematic reasoning scientific knowledge all of which are associated with higher levels of education and would require further modernization of our education systems to ensure their improved quality and relevance   The Group called for greater mobilization of the political will and action to modernize and improve the relevance of education for all globally including through the Transforming Education Summit She reminded of the importance to step up international collaboration to place education and lifelong learning at the center of the recovery and the transformation towards more inclusive safe and sustainable societies  Finally the Group reiterated the call that the process should be guided by the need to secure political will and national ownership of member states as it builds on existing global structures such as the renewed Global Coordination Mechanism for Education supported by UNESCO   
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Transforming Education: an Imperative for the Future We Want
24 January 2022 Celebrating the power of education to uplift individuals and transform societies the global community honored teachers and champions for education Amidst the 3rd year of the global pandemic the fourth International Day of Education marked an increased focus on continuing learning and sent out a message of hope Coorganized by UNESCO and UN Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning under the theme Changing Course Transforming Education the celebration brought together diverse perspectives on the crucial triggers of transformations for a more equitable and inclusive education system In the opening segment moderated by Ms Stefania Giannini UNESCO Assistant DirectorGeneral for Education leaders and education advocates such as UN Secretary General UNESCO Director General President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly Chair of the Global Partnership for Education and the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN championed education as key driver for progress across all SDGs as well as peace and human rights UN leaders called on international communities to unite around education as a public good Mr Antonio Guterres UN Secretary General will convene the Summit on Transforming Education in September  2022 to identify innovative approach for the transformation of the national education systems
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The 2021 Special Dialogue of International Youth Forum successfully held on 17 December 2021
The UNESCO Beijing Office collaborated with the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO the Changsha Municipal Government and the Nanjing Municipal Government to organize the 2021 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads Special Dialogue on Youth Leadership in Creativity Heritage and Resilience hereinafter the 2021 IYFSD online in Beijing Changsha and Nanjing simultaneously on 17 December 2021 More than 80 youth from 46 countries participated in the Special Dialogue to share and exchange their thoughts stories and actions on the topics The 2021 IYFSD consisted of a plenary session and two parallel sessions that respectively focused on Youth leadership in innovation and creativity for resilient World Heritage conservation and Youth leadership in innovation and creativity for resilient and inclusive cities At the beginning of the plenary session Ms Gabriela Ramos Assistant DirectorGeneral for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO encouraged youth actions and underlined the importance of youth power in her opening remarks We need youth for more critical thinking we need youth for more ambition we need youth to really consider all the elements that you have learned to build a much better resilient and inclusive world This is really important as we move into the last decade for action You are really key players
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United Nations alert that education should be a clear priority
On 17 December 2021 United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution entitled Education for sustainable development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and called on member states to strengthen their efforts to prioritize education in the response and recovery from the pandemic Amidst COVID 19 continued crisis the international community agreed that the focus should be put on safely reopen educational institutions for inperson learning based on scientific evidence and in consideration of local contexts Member states also recommitted to prioritize students and educators health ensuring that reopening plans are equityoriented genderresponsive and inclusive mainstreaming education for sustainable development as key in building resilient systems United Nations General Assembly acknowledge the important Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development the outcome statement of the 2021 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development organized by UNESCO and the Government of Germany as the next milestone in advancing environmental education It also reminded the international community of previously taken agreements under the 2014 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development the World Education Forum 2015 and the Education 2030 Framework for Action UNESCOs leadership on Sustainable Development Goal 4 and on Education for Sustainable Development has been reiterated in this edition of the resolution as well Expressing concern on the impact of COVID19 on Education which exacerbated preexisting inequities between and within education systems the resolution also reaffirmed the importance of investing in accessible learning platforms and safely reopening schools as soon as possible It further appreciated success stories in the response to the COVID 19 schools closures such as concerted efforts by the Global Education Coalition UNESCO is called upon to continue its mandate role to lead and coordinate the Education 2030 Agenda particularly through the renewed Global Education Cooperation Mechanism a remodelled Sustainable Development Goal 4Education 2030 Highlevel Steering Committee to serve as the global education coordination body in the framework of the 2030 Agenda
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2021 East and Southeast Asia UNEVOC Network Consolidation Workshop in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Promoting policy dialogue and sharing best practices in TVET and Skills Development in Member States is a key aspect of the UNESCOs global TVET strategy  On September 9 2021 Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training KRIVET hosted the first workshop on TVET development KRIVET collaborated with the UNESCO International Centre for TVET UNEVOC in Bonn Germany to host the regional knowledge sharing consultation UNESCO Beijing was invited to participate at the consultation The second workshop was organized on October 14 with its focus on the transformation of TVET and case studies The aim of the two workshops  was to further  enhance the strategic cooperation with the TVET Institutions that are Members of the UNEVOC  network in the East and SouthEast Asia region The two separate webinars focused the discussions around TVET policies quality and relevance of TVET green skills demand Greening TVET alignment with SDGs TVET standards quality of TVET Teachers Financing of TVET reform of TVET to align with needs of labour market ICT mainstreaming in TVET good practices and TVET leadership The participants at these two workshops presented status of TVET in their countries and discussed new thematic areas such as adjusting to the new normal of TVET institutions and adapting to the impact of COVID19 and discussed alternative strategies such as online learning and distance learning iInnovation access equity inclusion issues in TVET and improving the image of TVET and aligned with the SDG4 SDG8 SDG 9 targets related to TVET and Education 2030 Agenda
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UNESCO Capacity Building of the Higher Education Sector in Mongolia -A Korea Funds in Trust (KFIT) project
UNESCOs support to the higher education sector in the Asia and the Pacific region is focused in 5 strategic areas i Policy dialogue and advocacy ii capacity development and strengthening quality assurance systems in higher education iii supporting implementation of qualifications frameworks iv ensuring fair recognition of qualifications v Knowledge sharing through knowledge networks   On 11 October 2021 UNESCO Beijing will provide the funding for the equipment provision for the higher education project in Mongolia to compliment the ongoing Regional Korea FundsinTrust KFIT higher education project in Mongolia in terms of the policy dialogue capacity development and equipment components of the project The project is aligned with the Mongolian Governments education vision 2050 and Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan 20212030 Under education sector policy review conducted by UNESCO in 2019 the higher education sector reform is fundamental to producing the quality graduates for the needs of the labour market  In addition to equipment provision UNESCO will also provide additional policy advice and technical support assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science and National Accreditation Council to reform the higher education system in Mongolia in accordance with policy coherence across qualification frameworks quality assurance and recognition of qualifications by implementing regional quality tools The project will be sustained for the next two years of implementation   The Mongolia higher education project is implemented within the framework of the regional project implemented by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok  to strengthen the AsiaPacific Network of National Information Centres APNNIC and assist Member States to develop or improve their National Information Centers NICs to promote transparent and fair information sharing in higher education among State Parties to the Tokyo Convention and relevant stakeholders It also shall contribute towards monitoring evaluation and the implementation of regional quality tools and the role of NICs in the AsiaPacific region in line with the Tokyo Convention and the 2019 UNESCO Global Convention on recognition of qualifications in higher education Mongolia is expected to ratify the 2019 Global Convention on Recognition of Qualifications in higher education very soon   
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Third National Stakeholder Forum on Media and Information Literacy held in Mongolia
The Third National Stakeholder Forum on Media and Information Literacy MIL was held on 25 November 2021 in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia under the theme Digital Literacy and Inclusion as a Booster for Infodemic Immunity The forum was jointly organized by the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Institute of Mongolia as part of Mongolias national celebration for UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021 Mr Tapan Mishra UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Prof Shahbaz Khan Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office Mr Sambuu Boldsaikhan SecretaryGeneral of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and Ms Munkhmandakh Executive Director of the Press Institute of Mongolia delivered opening remarks More than 60 stakeholders including representatives from the Mongolian Government nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations attended the event and discussed how media and information literacy can contribute to addressing disinformation and hate speeches especially in and after a state of emergency and bridging the digital divide for inclusiveness especially for women youth the elderly and persons with disabilities Mongolia has identified digital literacy and inclusion of left behind groups as national priorities as outlined in its Digital Nation Strategy With support from the Swedish International Development Agency SIDA UNESCO has been supporting Mongolia in this endeavour by equipping policy makers media regulatory and selfregulatory professionals with advanced knowledge of MIL policy and best practices and improving capacities to respectively adapt and apply MIL curricula and policy in Mongolia Prof Khan in his opening remarks pointed out that the COVID19 pandemic is the first pandemic in history in which technology and social media are being used on a massive scale and on various levels to keep people safe and informed but at the same time the technology we rely on is enabling and amplifying an infodemic that continues to undermine effective responses and jeopardizes informed decisionmaking Therefore the importance of media and information literacy particularly digital literacy for all is more critical than ever Sustained and coordinated efforts are needed among all stakeholders He stressed The second edition of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum Think critically Click Wisely Media and Information Literate Citizens which is an updated version of the first edition released in 2011 were officially introduced at the forum followed by a discussion on terms and definitions for localization to create a shared understanding and buyins at all levels The discussions during the forum were centered around four major aspects including access to education during COVID19 and capacity building for the education sector in the state of emergency opportunities and challenges in transitioning to the Digital Nation and addressing the digital divide building MIL knowledge and skills to prevent and protect against disinformation and hate speeches and responsibility of media in social development and importance of ethical and professional conduct for the media sector Discussion results have been generated into recommendations including developing a comprehensive national policy and strategy for MIL education promoting the new UNESCO MIL Curriculum and organizing training for teachers improving knowledge and understanding of MIL among journalists and media workers among others The recommendations will be delivered to the Mongolian Government for further consideration towards a national MIL policy Under the theme Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good the UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021 highlights the needs and importance for each individual to be equipped with MIL competencies to understand contribute to and benefit from information and communication opportunities and at the same time advance the public good Through capacitybuilding resources such as curricula development policy guidelines and articulation and assessment framework UNESCO supports the development of MIL competencies among all people Free and open online courses are available for selfpaced learning about MIL Through media and information technologies UNESCO facilitates networking and research through the Global Alliance for Partnerships on MIL GAPMIL and MIL University Network For more resources on media and information literacy please visit httpsenunescoorgthemesmediaandinformationliteracy
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Make Persons with Disabilities Visible, Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations stands for the rights of every member of our human family Today and every day we will continue to work for justice equality dignity and human rights for all António Guterres United Nations SecretaryGeneral  
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UN Security Council calls for the protection of education in conflict
New York On 6 December the UN Security Council convened an inperson Arriaformula meeting on the protection of education in conflict organized by Niger and Norway in their capacity as copenholders on resolution 2601 on the protection of education in armed conflict Norways Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt chaired the meeting and HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway provided opening remarks Briefers included among others Ms Virginia Gamba Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Children and Armed Conflict Ms Henrietta Fore UNICEF Executive Director and Mr Eliot Mincheberg Director ai and UNESCOs representative to the United Nations  Building on the momentum following the unanimous adoption of resolution 2601 and its unique contribution to the children and armed conflict agenda the meeting provided a platform to discuss other instruments lessons learned and good practices on the protection of education such as the Safe Schools Declaration Opening the meeting HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway underscored that the adoption of resolution 2601 by the Security Council is an important landmark as the first of its kind to be uniquely dedicated to the protection of education More particularly the resolution highlights the invaluable role that education plays for peace and security calls upon Member States to protect schools and education facilities from attacks and urges all parties to fulfil their obligation to facilitate the continuation of education during conflict Prince Haakon concluded his intervention by noting that the fact that 99 countries cosponsored the resolution underlines the truly global commitment to this important cause and urged governments UN agencies and civil society partners to continue working together to ensure its full implementation By reiterating that education is not only a fundamental right for children but also the foundation for sustainable peace stability and development Ms Virginia Gamba Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Children and Armed Conflict called on Member States and the international community at large to join forces to protect schools and to protect students and teachers from violence She also expressed her willingness to foster cooperation with UNESCO to ensure the implementation of resolution 2601 including through strengthened collaboration aimed at improving students access to connectivity and at protecting and supporting teachers during armed conflict and postconflict phases During the meeting Member States highlighted the negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic and subsequent school closures that have exacerbated schools vulnerability to attack More particularly they emphasized the gendered aspects of attacks on schools and noted that protecting the education of adolescent girls in emergencies and conflict demands urgent and dedicated attention particularly in Afghanistan where threats to eliminate education for girls are already prompting huge spikes in GenderBased Violence including sexual violence By recognized the importance of remote and digital learning as an important tool in facilitating the continuity of education in challenging circumstances several Member States called on more investment on digital literacy and remote learning infrastructure in regions affected by armed conflict in order to provide valuable support to education especially when schools are subject to attacks The need to improve data collection to enhance the international community understanding of the impact of conflict on education was also stressed  Mr Eliot Minchenberg Director of the UNESCO New York Office and Representative to the United Nations expressed UNESCOs readiness to supporting Member States in the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2601 Recalling that the disruption of education is one of the longestlasting and detrimental consequences of armed conflict he stressed the need to accelerate further concrete action to protect education from attack He also highlighted the importance of improving data collection supporting the continuity of learning and building on the lessons from the pandemic He concluded by expressing UNESCOs willingness to continue working closely with its partners notably the Office of the Special epesentative of the SecretaryGeneral for Children and Armed Conflicts UNICEF and other UN agencies to support Member States ensure equitable and inclusive quality education for all    Watch the recordings of the event here  
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UN General Assembly urges continued action to stop illicit trafficking of cultural property
In a milestone achievement  the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution entitled Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin at its 44th plenary meeting on 6 December 2021 The resolution was spearheaded by Greece and cosponsored by 110 other member states Recognizing that it affects all regions of the world the resolution expressed deep concern about the continuing illicit trafficking in cultural property as well as the loss and vandalism of cultural property from archeological and other sites in particular in areas of armed conflict The resolution welcomes the report of the SecretaryGeneral submitted in cooperation with the Director General of UNESCO while at the same time recalling all UNESCOs seven cultural Conventions  and other important international agreements related to return and restitution of cultural property It also recalls Security Council resolution 1483 2003 in particular the paragraph relating to the restitution of the cultural property of Iraq and Council resolution 2056 2012 on the situation in Mali Furthermore the resolution recognizes the leading role of UNESCO in the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural property and commends UNESCO and the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin ICPRCP on the work they have accomplished to address the issue Of particular note were the various UNESCO international awarenessraising and training campaigns as well as activities implemented in the framework of the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Convention including the launch of the first edition of the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property and the launch of the international communication campaign The Real Price of Art The resolution calls upon all United Nations entities and other relevant intergovernmental organizations within their mandates to work in coordination with the UNESCO  and in cooperation with Member States to continue to address the issue of return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin It also requests the SecretaryGeneral in cooperation with the Director General of UNESCO to submit to the General Assembly at its 79th session a report on the implementation of the present resolution During the adoption Member States reemphasized the prominent role of UNESCO in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and encouraged UNESCO to continue to strengthen its efforts on returning or restitution of cultural objects to the countries of origin
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UNESCO Launches updated Handbook on Media Reporting for Promoting Disability Equality in China
On the occasion of the 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities UNESCO officially launches the latest version of the Handbook on Media Reporting for Promoting Disability Equality in China