Understanding the UN Policy Brief

The United Nations has unveiled a policy brief with a goal to revolutionize education systems, aiming to cultivate inclusive and effective learning societies. The brief addresses two key issues plaguing education systems globally: limited access and inadequate quality. According to Leonardo Garnier, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Transforming Education Summit, numerous students are struggling to grasp even the fundamental concepts within the current formal schooling setup. The policy brief introduces essential principles for nations to enhance the learning experience. These principles include a shift towards learner-centered models, promoting equity and inclusivity, crafting pertinent curricula, and employing efficient teaching methodologies. The emphasis is on equipping students to tackle future challenges with confidence.

Garnier stresses the need for curricula to encompass subjects relevant to today’s world, including sustainable development and civic responsibility. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, emphasizes the policy brief’s vision of transitioning from a culture of making minor reforms to one of implementing substantial changes that lead to education systems vastly distinct from their current state. The document emerges from consultations at both national and global levels and is rooted in over 140 government commitments made during the Transforming Education Summit.

The forthcoming SDG Summit in September will provide a platform to showcase the advancements in education transformation. This event will pave the way for a global meeting in 2024, aimed at evaluating the progress achieved since the initiative’s launch in 2022.

Re-reported from the article originally published in UN News