UNESCO, APCEIU Launch Recommendation on Education and Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific

UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) are pleased to announce the upcoming "Regional Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development" for the Asia-Pacific region. This event will be held from June 5 to 7, 2024, in Bangkok.

Support and Hosting: The Regional Policy Dialogue is supported by the Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPEs), the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies, and Japan's Sophia University. It will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Education of Thailand.

Purpose and Participants: This three-day event will gather a diverse group of participants, including government officials, policymakers, educators, civil society representatives, and youth advocates. The goal is to promote education that advances peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

Key Event: The central feature of the event is the Asia-Pacific launch of UNESCO's "Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development," which was endorsed by all Member States during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2023. This Recommendation was developed through extensive global consultations, involving governments, teachers, informal educators, and parents, to provide a comprehensive framework for integrating the principles of peace, human rights, and sustainable development into education policies and practices.

Significance: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the importance of the Recommendation during its adoption in 2023. The Regional Policy Dialogue will provide participants with insights into the Recommendation, its application in the diverse Asia-Pacific region, and ways to collaborate on a regional "roadmap" to incorporate the Recommendation into national educational strategies, systems, and practices. This initiative aims to impact over 60% of the world's population residing in the Asia-Pacific.

Interactive Discussions: The event will feature interactive panel discussions with experts from educational and non-educational sectors, including culture, social and human sciences, and communication and information sciences. These discussions will focus on the critical role of education in fostering peace, global citizenship, human rights, and sustainable development. Participants will have ample opportunities to share insights, experiences, and best practices, laying the groundwork for enhanced cooperation and collective action.

UNESCO's Commitment: In a world facing complex global challenges, this event underscores UNESCO's commitment to advancing education as a force for intercultural tolerance, peace, and a better appreciation of cultural diversity. The "Regional Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development" aims to promote lasting peace and intercultural understanding across national borders.

The event promises to be a significant step towards embedding the principles of peace, human rights, and sustainable development in education systems throughout the Asia-Pacific region.