United Nations General Assembly Hall with SDG Icons
UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Exhibition: Lifelong learning for all – empowering individuals, transforming societies

On the margins of the High-Level Political Forum 2024, UNESCO and the United Nations Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning are hosting the exhibition 'Lifelong Learning for All – Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies.'

The exhibition highlights the pivotal role of lifelong learning in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It underscores lifelong learning as a human right and a public good. Through powerful testimonials from political leaders and human-focused panels presenting personal stories from learners and educators around the world, the exhibition reveals how lifelong learning has empowered societies and individuals to overcome adversity, take climate action, drive sustainable development, and contribute to peaceful societies.

 

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

Education doesn’t stop at the school gate. It continues throughout life. We must make the right to education a reality for everyone.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General
Cyrille George Jerusalmi

The Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning, with its 39 members, champions advocacy and outreach on global commitments to education, including through concrete contributions to intergovernmental processes as well as the organization of high-level and expert-level meetings. Ambassadors from the UN Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning share statements on the importance of education across all ages.

Group of Friends logo
UNESCO

Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested

Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations / Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal growth. Lifelong learning helps meet the evolving needs of our world, and empower individuals to thrive and fulfil their potential.

Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested, Norway / Chair of the Group of Friends on Education and Lifelong Learning
Permanent Delegation of Norway

Ambassador Ricardo Lagorio

Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

Renewing our commitment to lifelong learning to strengthen the right to education of people of all ages will contribute to an education for peace.

Ambassador Ricardo Lagorio, Argentina / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Education and Lifelong Learning
Permanent Delegation of Argentina

Ambassador Jakub Kulhánek

Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

Equitable, inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning empower individuals of all ages and unlock the door to gender equality. As a fundamental human right, education is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and is crucial for promoting, building and sustaining peace.

Ambassador Jakub Kulhánek, Czechia / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Education and Lifelong Learning
Permanent Delegation of Czechia

Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

Education is crucial for achieving human security. Education across all ages serves as a powerful tool for development and is the foundation for lasting peace.

Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki, Japan / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Education and Lifelong Learning
Permanent Delegation of Japan

Ambassador Njambi Kinyungu

Chargé d'affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

Education across all ages, without a doubt, is the foundation upon which sustainable development stands. Education is a game changer. Quality education is an equalizer and a powerful catalyst for inclusive growth and the full realization of the human potential.

Ambassador Njambi Kinyungu, Chargé d'affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations / Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning
Permanent Delegation of Kenya

H.E. Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations

The right to lifelong learning belongs to everyone, everywhere. Germany is striving, with partners worldwide, to make this right a reality for more people. We are honored to serve as the host country to the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

Ambassador Antje Leendertse
UN Photo

Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

Lifelong learning for all is an investment in a brighter future for communities worldwide and our planet as a whole. For young people, education is the key to unlocking their potential and unleashing their power for positive transformational change, which is needed now more than ever before. 

Felipe Paullier
United Nations

Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education

In our rapidly changing world, people need continuing opportunities for lifelong learning. It is therefore crucial that governments prioritize and invest in all aspects of education.

Farida Shaheed
Farida Shaheed
29%
of children

are not enrolled in pre-primary education.

250 million
children and youth

are out of school globally.

765 million
youth and adults

worldwide lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.

< 5%
of adults

have access to learning and education opportunities.

57%
of countries

invest less than 4% of their overall education budget in adult learning.

Invest in adult learning and education to increase productivity of adults in the labour market.

Sianny Christianto, Learner, Surakarta, Indonesia

Adult education gave me the opportunity and the confidence to develop my business, benefitting not just my own livelihood but the whole community’s.

Chadchart Sittipunt, Mayor, UNESCO learning city of Bangkok, Thailand

As knowledge extends beyond the classroom, it is important to create a quality learning environment. This is a high-yield investment, recognizing people as the city’s most vital asset.

Invest in lifelong learning to foster understanding, tolerance and enhance social cohesion.

Federico Gutiérrez, Mayor, UNESCO learning city of Medellín, Colombia

Only with lifelong learning do we close social gaps and overcome the vicious circle of violence and poverty. With opportunities we transform lives; with education we transform cities.

Invest in lifelong learning to end discrimination and exclusion and leave no one behind.

Annah Juma, Learner, Uganda

I learned literacy late. I can now read and write. I no longer feel left behind and can contribute to the education of my grandchildren.

Rodney Naidoo, Educator, UNESCO learning city of Durban, South Africa

Most of my secondary school students come from poor homes. Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty and it can only be done through education.

Invest in lifelong learning to ensure sustainable development.

Amelie Paassen, ESD youth ambassador, UNESCO learning city of Hamburg, Germany

We need to learn for our planet to tackle global challenges like the climate crisis. Education for sustainable development enables us to transform ourselves and our societies.

Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government, Kingdom of Morocco and Mayor, city of Agadir

We are committed to ensuring that our citizens have access to quality learning opportunities that improve their lives and contribute to an innovative, inclusive, open, prosperous and sustainable city for all.

Invest in lifelong learning to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life.

Maria Elizabeth Ancona, Learner, UNESCO learning city of Mérida, Mexico

I never stopped learning. It is our duty to acquire the knowledge to develop, to help us cope with illnesses or new technologies.

Timmy Long, Former prisoner, UNESCO learning city of Cork, Ireland

My current master's course in mindfulness has helped me cope with my mental health and addiction issues, as well as life in general, much better than I could have ever imagined.

We need to invest in lifelong learning to empower everyone to navigate the digital transformations.

Rita Rani Sarker, Literacy educator, Bangladesh

When I use digital skills to teach, my students are able to grasp content much faster. Students can participate in my classes online and I can easily communicate with them and support to resolve issues much more quickly.

Abdulaziz Al-Haif, Learner, UNESCO learning city of Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the programmes and activities offered by the UNESCO learning city of Jubail, I learned programming and enhanced my leadership and management skills. These activities were a turning point in my life, helping me develop and succeed in entrepreneurship.

#ImALifelongLearner

Are you one too?

Close up elderly woman
Photodjo/Getty Images Signature

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