Progress has been made in involving young people and students in global decision making in education.

Although progress has been made in involving young people and students in global decision making in education, much more needs to be done to address their concerns and aspirations. This year, UNESCO is dedicating this year’s International Day of Education (24 January) to the power of youth as co-creators of education. The International Day of Education will be celebrated through a hybrid event at UNESCO Headquarters on Friday 23 January 2026. On this occasion, UNESCO will release a new global measurement by the Global Education Monitoring Report assessing student and youth participation in education legislation and policymaking, in collaboration with the UN Youth Office, and introduce the new cohort of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network. UNESCO’s action for youth across the globe, as a tangible expression of ‘UNESCO for the people’, will also be showcased.