News . Events UNESCO MEETING: Progress Towards SDG4 Education
Stocktake of Transformative Actions in Education
On June 17, 2024, the global education community will converge at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, for a crucial event: “Progress Towards SDG4: Stocktake of Transformative Actions in Education.” This high-level meeting, convened by the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards achieving quality education for all.
From 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, world leaders, policymakers, educators, and innovators will engage in a day-long dialogue to assess our progress and chart the course for the future of global education. This summit, co-chaired by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of learning worldwide.
Among the distinguished attendees is Dr. Okada, who led the Open Schooling Declaration and has been invited to contribute her expertise to this crucial dialogue. Her presence underscores the importance of innovative approaches in addressing global education challenges.
Theme and Focus
The summit’s overarching theme, “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future,” encompasses several key areas:
- Digital innovation in education
- Equity and inclusivity in learning
- Climate change education and sustainability
- Strengthening educational systems in crisis situations
- Enhancing foundational learning skills
Key Highlights
The summit’s agenda is packed with high-impact sessions and discussions. Some of the key highlights include:
- A high-level dialogue on financing education, featuring insights from ministers and global leaders
- Parallel sessions exploring digital learning strategies and initiatives to promote gender equality in education
- Focused discussions on supporting and empowering the teaching profession
- Sessions on “greening” education and addressing learning needs in crisis situations
- A critical examination of strategies to improve foundational learning skills globally
UNESCO Report Launch
This event will also serve as the launchpad for a key UNESCO report: “The Right to a Strong Foundation: Global Report on Early Childhood Care and Education.” This comprehensive report is expected to provide crucial insights into the state of early childhood education worldwide and offer recommendations for improvement.
Event Highlights
Opening and Framing
The summit will kick off with powerful opening remarks from UNESCO’s Director-General, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, and the President of Chile. Their words are expected to set the tone for a day focused on transforming education for a better future.
Financing Education
A crucial session on education financing will feature insights from ministers and global leaders. European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen’s keynote address is set to highlight the importance of investing in education as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
Digital Learning and Gender Equality
Parallel sessions will explore the potential of digital learning and the pressing need for gender equality in education. These discussions will bring together diverse perspectives from government ministers, international organizations, and civil society.
The Teaching Profession
Recognizing the pivotal role of educators, a dedicated session will examine challenges and opportunities for the teaching profession. Representatives from UNESCO, ILO, and various countries will share strategies to support and empower teachers.
Greening Education and Crisis Response
The afternoon will see focused discussions on integrating sustainability into education and addressing learning needs in crisis situations. These sessions are expected to underscore the importance of adaptable and resilient education systems.
Foundational Learning
A critical session on foundational learning will bring together experts from UNESCO, UNICEF, and various global education initiatives to discuss strategies for ensuring basic literacy and numeracy skills for all learners.
Looking Ahead
The summit will conclude with forward-looking recommendations for the upcoming Global Education Meeting. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, and Chile’s Minister of Education, Nicolás Cataldo, are expected to emphasize the need for continued collaboration and action to achieve global education goals.
This landmark event will not only highlight the challenges facing global education but also showcase the collective commitment to finding innovative solutions. As we move forward, the insights and partnerships forged at this summit will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of education worldwide.
Dr. Okada, an invited participant in the summit, will be discussing her new book “Knowledge Cartography for Young Thinkers: Sustainability Issues, Mapping Techniques and AI Tools” (Okada, A., 2024). This work promises to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing dialogue about innovative educational approaches, particularly in the areas of sustainability education and the integration of AI tools in learning.
Stay tuned for more updates on how these global initiatives will translate into action at the local and national levels.