In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, this International Youth Day gives us cause to celebrate "the young people, youth-led organizations, governments and others who are working to transform education and uplift young people everywhere."
Youth are transforming education
Across our partnership and the world, youth are working to make sure their voices are heard.
Leaders and youth advocates gathered for a workshop supported by Plan International in Dakar on Wednesday, January 31st. Senegal, January 2018
Credit:
GPE/Victoria Egbetayo
Education plays a central role in social and economic development, democratic empowerment and the advancement of the general well-being of societies. It is only by quality education for all that we can bring a change to a sustainable future for humanity, and therefore education can no longer be seen as a commodity, but rather as a human right, which every individual deserves to have full access to.
Education should not be limited to the four walls of a classroom; it should be a way of life because when we stop learning, we start dying. Let's give every child the opportunity of an education, let's enable them to change the world.
Transformative education involves imparting youth with the right mix of knowledge and practical skill to become self-dependent and change agents in their society in the future.
Transforming education is a process that requires collaboration, empathy and teamwork. Young people have a significant role to play because we are the most affected by issues we want to address. Therefore, youth should be engaged as actors, negotiators and advocates in transforming education.
Involve me, engage me in using education to change the gender narratives.
We must reflect on how much we are doing to promote inclusive education for gender equality. Young people are advocating for quality education for all. Let’s continue to hold our governments and stakeholders accountable for more quality, gender transformative, inclusive education for all.
I am passionate about girls’ education. Girls are undervalued from birth. Traditions in Tanzania often mean that girls and women are undermined. I have delivered workshops to over 200 girls across Tanzania, supporting them on issues of female genital mutilation and child marriage.
As a teacher in Nigeria, I see how my students are fighting to go to school — and I see how our education system is failing them. We need to invest in more educators and trainings, teach students 21st century skills so they can succeed in the modern workforce and ensure that school is truly free for all students. I know that my students are the leaders of tomorrow, we just need to give them the tools they need to thrive.
Let us have an education system that caters for all gender diversities to create equal opportunity for all.
Children are eager, driven and passionate to learn. Yet, it is factors beyond their control that are holding them back from prospering. It is vital for young people to come together and campaign because our ideas are just as valuable as any other generation’s.
Why does education need to be transformed? Because, if we continue on our current trajectory, by 2030 1 billion youth will not have the skills they need to enter the modern workforce.
That's why GPE is working to strengthen education systems across developing countries so that they can equip every child with the skills they need to thrive. What is more transformative than that?
Therefore this Monday, we'll be joining our partners across the globe in calling for education that is more inclusive of youth voices and responsive to their needs.
If you agree, here are some great campaigns and movements you can add your voice to.
- Plan International believes that young people must have the opportunity to lead change within their own communities, countries and globally. Collaboratively, they seek ways to enable children and young people, particularly girls and young women, to understand and defend their right to gender transformative education. Find out more here.
- To celebrate International Youth Day the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) is launching a youth-powered campaign: #TransformEducation. For the next year, youth-led networks (Education Transformers) will work together to transform education for gender equality.
- The Global Campaign for Education, along with INGO members like Action Aid International and Plan International, are partnering with the #TransformEducation campaign, led by UNGEI, and calling on youth in their networks to speak out to transform education.
- FAWE has also joined the #TransformEducation campaign. They join the African Union Youth Envoy, Plan International, African Youth Commission Union and others for a Twitter chat on 'Preparing Youth for the Future of Work' on Friday, August 9.
- Tune in by following @RsFawe #YouthandFutureofWork.
- Girls Not Brides highlights the impact of child marriage across the Sustainable Development Goals and encourages governments to deliver on their commitments under SDG 5.3 (to end child marriage). You can get involved through their Youth Activism toolkit. Through the transformative power of training and education, and by using the training program developed by Girls Not Brides, young people can become amazing advocates for change. Watch this 30 second video on the youth activism training guide.
- Send My Friend to School is a UK based schools campaign calling on leaders to unlock education for everyone – find out more here.
- ONE youth champions and ambassadors lobby decision makers, support media advocacy efforts, and mobilize public support for ONE issues, including education.
- Malala Fund created Assembly as a platform for girls and young women around the world to share their thoughts, challenges and accomplishments — and for all of us to learn about this new generation of leaders.