A silent revolution has filled lecture halls worldwide—but not everyone has a seat at the table. Global higher education enrolment has more than doubled in two decades, rising from about 100 million students in 2000 to 269 million in 2024, reflecting surging demand and expanding access. Women now outnumber men in higher education but lag behind at doctoral level, and international student mobility has tripled, though it still involves only a small share of learners. Yet this rapid growth masks deep inequalities: participation ranges from around 80% in Western Europe and North America to just 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. Completion rates fall behind enrolment gains, and many countries lack free public education. A new from UNESCO urges stronger investment and inclusive policies.
UNESCO
The Village Vanguard is the oldest jazz club in New York City, founded by Max Gordon in 1935. The club worked as a platform to present all kinds of cultural and political events and became primarily a jazz music venue in 1957. Since then, the club has hosted many renowned jazz musicians from around the world, including Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Thelonious Monk. UN News and UN Video interviews the current owner of the club, Deborah Gordon and three-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz pianist Sullivan Joseph Fortner for the International Jazz Day on 30 April. The Day was in 2011 to celebrate the power of jazz as a force for peace, dialogue and mutual understanding.
In “Nab’d AlUla,” pass on heritage through Sadu weaving and stone engraving, blending tradition and innovation while empowering future generations to preserve the region’s cultural legacy.
Across more than 2,260 worldwide, communities and ecosystems remain deeply interconnected, offering powerful lessons for protecting biodiversity, sustaining livelihoods, and confronting climate change.
The number of children and young people out of school has , up to 273 million, driven by population growth, crises, and shrinking budgets. This is the main finding of UNESCO’s , the world’s reference on the state of education. One in six children of school age worldwide are excluded from education, and only two in three students complete secondary school. Yet, many countries are making significant progress.
Across Africa, women innovators are reshaping the future of technology, not only by building businesses, but by designing solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges - from water management to digital rights. With support from UNESCO’s African Women in Tech and AI initiative, they are turning ideas into impact, breaking barriers and shaping a more inclusive digital future. As International Women’s Day highlights the importance of rights, justice and action, remind us that equality in innovation must be sustained year-round.
In 2025, UNESCO awarded its inaugural to initiatives in Tanzania and Ecuador, recognizing outstanding global education impact.
Through , José Pérez reveals Cuba’s hidden biodiversity, connecting visitors with communities and conservation while transforming images into powerful bridges between science, emotion and protection.
Jean‑Michel Jarre narrates how AI is transforming creation and connection, and UNESCO promotes ethical frameworks to ensure technology enhances, not replaces, human creativity.
After disrupted education for over half a million students in eastern Cuba, the “Rebuilding Hope” initiative was launched to restore learning, provide psychosocial support, and strengthen resilience in affected schools.
The empowers media institutions to develop comprehensive strategies that ensure operational continuity during emergencies and strengthen community resilience.
UNESCO invites nominations for the 2026 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize, honoring up to three individuals or institutions advancing peace.
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Decades after the Holocaust, antisemitism is rising in Europe and beyond, making education crucial for understanding violent pasts and preventing future atrocities. As Holocaust survivors dwindle, UNESCO is dedicated to advancing Holocaust education through its . Since 2015, it has reached 31 countries, developing teacher training resources and new curricula. Recently, UNESCO organized policy training at Auschwitz-Birkenau for senior policymakers. UNESCO also fights Holocaust denial through its partnership with the World Jewish Congress, providing factual resources, including the website, and has published to help educators counter denial while teaching about the genocide.
Youth under 30 make up over half the world’s population and drive innovation and social change, yet face poverty, inequality and limited access to education and decent work. Their engagement is essential to shape modern education amid rapid technological change. Aligned with the youth must be co‑creators of education at all levels. The Youth highlights their leadership, and the 2026 International Day of Education (24 January) celebrates their role.
The forests around Mount Kanchenjunga in Nepal boast rich biodiversity, including endangered species like the snow leopard and red panda. Indigenous communities have traditionally used their knowledge for conservation, but challenges such as climate change, poaching, and hydropower projects are threatening this balance. Local resident Purna Kumar Limbu notes that frequent explosives from these projects are driving wildlife away. In response, the initiative, launched in 2025, aims to enhance global recognition of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and reinforce its importance to the local community.