In December 2018, The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution and proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. The theme of this day is “Education for Peace and Development”. It is a UNESCO initiative under the Sustainable Development Goals programme.
UNESCO, the UN’s specialized agency for education, will facilitate the annual observance of this new day. This observance recognizes the human right to education, the benefit of education to individuals and societies, and the link between education and the achievement of many other human rights.
This day is to highlight the need for inclusive, equitable and quality education for all and that education plays a key role in building sustainable and resilient societies and contributes to the achievement of all other Sustainable Development Goals. The celebration will raise awareness on the key role of quality and relevant education for peace and development worldwide, including its contribution to poverty elimination, environmental sustainability and building peaceful and resilient societies.
Education is a fundamental human right, a public good, and a civic responsibility to make sure knowledge is disseminated to each generation if we are to improve the lives of individuals and push the human race forward. It is also the best investment that one can make to ensure a sustainable future.
There are numerous positive impacts of increased education that merit global attention. Education has twin impacts of personal betterment and societal benefit. Education plays a very crucial role in developing the creative thinking ability of young people and providing all the necessary skills and knowledge that are required to shape a competitive and productive individual.
Education is important for young people because it provides youth with tools and critical skills to gain employment and provide for themselves and their families in the future. Young people gain from education because it encourages stability, awareness of discrimination and disparities in society, the ability to make informed decisions, and transparency. Generally, education helps young people to prepare themselves for challenges that they are going to face during adulthood and life.
Education can also be the catalyst for developing interests, hobbies and future careers. Education is important because it is a means of giving individuals the tools for critical thinking for optimum survival. It is considered to be a fundamental human right and critical to the full enjoyment of all human rights.
Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind. Therefore, a good education is a need of time.
- Swikriti Khadka
