The International Day of Education (IDE) is celebrated globally on 24 January 2026, under the theme:
“The power of youth in co-creating education.”
Why Youth Participation Matters
Youth under 30 make up more than half of the global population, yet they are often underrepresented in decisions about education. By taking part in IDE 2026, you contribute to a global movement advocating for inclusive, relevant, and youth-centered education.
How You Can Get Involved
1. Host or Support Youth-Focused Events
Communities worldwide are organizing activities that showcase meaningful youth participation. Examples include:
School dialogues
Workshops
Intergenerational roundtables
You can host an event that encourages youth as co-creators of education, fostering conversations between young people, educators, and policymakers.
When sharing your events online, use #EducationDay and tag @UNESCO, @Education2030UN, and @GEMReport to increase global visibility.
2. Share Your Voice and Vision
IDE 2026 invites everyone, especially youth, to reflect on:
“If you were Minister of Education for a day, what would be the first change you would make?”
Encourage your school, youth group, or network to post their answers on social media. Use #EducationDay and tag @UNESCO, @Education2030UN, and @GEMReport so voices are amplified globally.
3. Spread the Message Online
Help raise awareness about youth leadership in education by:
Sharing stories, visuals, and examples of youth-led initiatives
Highlighting insights from the upcoming UNESCO 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report: Lead with Youth
Promoting youth-led innovations and community projects
Always use #EducationDay and tag the official UNESCO accounts to connect your contributions to the global campaign.
4. Share a Good Practice in Youth Engagement
Have you led a project that meaningfully engages youth in shaping education? UNESCO wants to learn from proven practices that demonstrate impactful youth participation in policies, programs, or learning spaces.
Submit your example to inspire cross-country learning and accelerate progress toward SDG 4 – Quality Education.
Key Takeaways
IDE 2026 celebrates youth as co-creators of education
Participate through events, social media, and sharing innovative practices
Amplify youth voices using #EducationDay and tagging UNESCO accounts
This day is an opportunity for young people and communities to lead change in education systems, ensuring learning is inclusive, relevant, and future-ready.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
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