23/01/2026
Ahead of International Day of Education, reaffirms that education policies are strongest when they are shaped with youth — not simply designed for them. Young people under 30 drive innovation and social change, yet many still face barriers to quality education and decent work, which is why UNESCOUNESCO works to embed youth participation in education policy, and global decision-making.
We deliver large-scale education programmes worldwide while placing young people at the heart of education reform. In Chad, with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNESCO is expanding non-formal, second-chance and skills-linked education pathways for learners who are out of school or at risk. These efforts have reached 43,000 children and adolescents (nearly half girls) through non-formal education, and nearly 58,000 learners, mostly women, through literacy programmes.
At the global level, UNESCO supports youth engagement through platforms such as the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network and the UNESCO Youth Forum. By working for youth and with youth, UNESCO is helping build more inclusive, relevant and resilient education systems.
Join the conversation: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/empowering-youth-shape-education-policy
GEM Report Unesco
