International Day of Education 2026
Date/Time
Date(s) - 24/01/2026
12:00 am
Categories
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all.
On 24 January 2026, UNESCO marks the International Day of Education 2026 under the theme “The power of youth in co-creating education.” This global celebration highlights how young people are shaping the future of learning and how everyone can help amplify their leadership.
Youth under 30 make up more than half the world’s population, yet they remain underrepresented in education decision-making. By participating in the International Day of Education, you help build a global movement advocating for inclusive, relevant and youth-centered education systems.