The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as the International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development, as a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility.

When UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015, the international community recognized that education is essential for the success of all 17 of its goals. Sustainable Development Goal 4, in particular, aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. 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.

The world is seeing a surge of violent conflicts paralleled by a concerning rise of intolerance and discrimination. The foundation of more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies is laid through education, a force that permeates every facet of our daily lives and overall prospects. In the face of escalating climate change, democratic erosion, persistent inequalities, growing discrimination, hate speech, violence, and conflict on a global scale, education emerges as a powerful tool to both address and prevent these challenges in the future. Moreover, when effectively shaped and implemented, education becomes a long-term investment with increasing returns.

LASIGE is strongly committed to Sustainable Development Goal 4, promoting tolerance, inclusion and a more peaceful, just, and sustainable society.