Today, we celebrate the second International Day of Education. These International Days are established by the United Nations in order to inform and raise public awareness about different themes. From fundamental rights to sustainable development, through health care, it also allows for the mobilization of resources to support various actions.
On January 3, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the 24 January "International Day of Education". Education plays a key role in peace and development as well as in building sustainable and resilient societies. As Mandela used to say "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".
Moreover, it should not be forgotten that even if the right to education is a human right (article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which requires that education be free and compulsory), yet, it is violated in many parts of the world. That is why highlight the benefits of an "inclusive and equitable quality education" and raise awareness among the general public is necessary.
Today, although enrollment in primary education in the developing countries were up by 91%, 57 million children still do not have access to school. Many factors, such as armed conflict, poverty, discrimination, without forgetting now, the effects of climate change and the emergency situations they cause, make access to school difficult. For example, it is estimated that 50 percent of out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-affected areas.
Therefore, the right to education is part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the Member States of the United Nations in September 2015. The education being recognized as indispensable for the success of the other 16 goals. These are aimed at pushing all countries to "promote prosperity while protecting the planet.'' The idea is to reach them before 2030. So we have 10 years to act and transform our world.
The fourth Sustainable Development Goal, "Quality Education" promote "inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all". Ensure access for everyone, girls and boys as well as vulnerable people, is to improve the quality of life of people and provide the necessary tools to understand the world in which we live. Education is the basis of a well-functioning society and it is also a means of emancipation for everyone.
So for the International Day of Education, let us act and not forget this sentence of Malala Yousafzai "one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world".