By UN Academic Impact (UNAI) NEW YORK. 14 July 2023 (IDN) — Some eight years ago, the flow of persons needing international protection to the European continent increased significantly, and many asylum seekers and refugees were in the typical higher education age range. In light of this situation, the University of Coimbra (UC), a member […]
In Focus: Education and the SDGs
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY, 04 March 2023 (IDN) — Education contributes to many of the Sustainable Development Goals. It reduces poverty, drives sustainable economic growth, prevents inequality and injustice, leads to better health —particularly for women and children—and helps to protect the planet.
UN Celebrates the World’s Rich ‘Linguistic Tapestry’
A UN News Special UNITED NATIONS, 25 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Multilingual education is a critical key to razing inequalities and promoting human rights for all, UN officials said to mark International Mother Language Day. Commemorating the world’s languages—all 6,700 of them—since 1999, the 21 February aims at celebrating ways of showcasing the world’s linguistic […]
Universities Step Up Focus on SDGs in Post-Pandemic Revival
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY, 16 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Universities are sometimes seen as ivory towers aloft from the communities they are supposed to serve. But, in reviving a sector that was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, universities are now taking the lead in working with the communities to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable […]
Economic Crisis Threatens Sri Lanka’s Education Gains
By Hemali Wijerathne COLOMBO (IDN) — Sri Lanka’s free education system, which was judged to have achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for education and is considered a post-independence success story, is now under threat due to the present economic crisis in the country of 22 million people.
UNICEF Calls for Urgent Action to Ensure Education Resources
By Caroline Mawanga NEW YORK (IDN) — A one percentage point increase in the allocation of public education resources to the world’s poorest 20 per cent is expected to pull 35 million primary school-aged children out of learning poverty globally, says the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). However, a new report released on January 17 […]
Thailand: Education at Fingertips for the Disabled
By Pattama Vilailert BANGKOK (IDN) — Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities are two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 3.3 per cent of Thailand’s population categorized as “disabled”, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) has come up with an innovative program to provide a new lease of life to people who would otherwise be left behind in […]
Act Now to Transform Education into 21st Century Learning
Viewpoint by Dr Randa Grob-Zakhary The author is the Founder and CEO of Education.org ZURICH (IDN) — At the recent Transforming Education Summit in New York, 130 countries pledged to reboot their education systems and accelerate action to tackle the global learning crisis. Fifty foundations pledged to support those ambitions. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres […]
UN Chief Considers Financing Education, Imperative for ‘Peaceful, Prosperous, Stable Societies’
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, two-thirds of countries have cut their education budgets. “But education is the building block for peaceful, prosperous, stable societies,” says the UN Chief. “Reducing investment virtually guarantees more serious crises further down the line”. Secretary-General António Guterres spelt out: “We need to get […]
The World is in Deep Trouble—& the Sustainable Development Goals in Jeopardy
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The warnings came from the highest echelons of the United Nations, from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the 193-member General Assembly Abdulla Shahid. The message was clear: the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) desperately need help for their very survival, eight years ahead of their […]