Education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment and a transformative force for sustainable development. Evidence from global research and SDG progress reviews confirms that education is a foundational driver of most other development outcomes, including health, nutrition, gender equality, employment, peace, and climate resilience.
Yet, education remains under-prioritised in social development agendas, despite its power to lift individuals out of poverty, improve livelihoods, and foster inclusive, stable societies. Especially in contexts that face systemic inequality, high unemployment, and social exclusion, education is a lifeline and a lever for personal growth and collective progress. Ignoring this reality threatens the very achievement of Agenda 2030 and the promise of social justice.
This high-level session, hosted by the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF, will make the case for placing education at the heart of social development policy and financing.
Objectives
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation session, in collaboration with UNICEF, would:
Reaffirm education as the backbone of social development, essential for eradicating poverty, enabling employment, and fostering inclusive societies.
Highlight the need for integrated, cross-sectoral strategies that connect education with health, protection, economic development, and peacebuilding outcomes.
Articulate the transformative power of education and the critical link between education and employability, especially in rapidly changing labour markets shaped by technology, climate change, and demographic shifts.
Call to Action
Call for support, in particular to the multilateral banks, to invest in education in innovative ways that encourage inclusion while not further increasing the indebtedness of the poorest countries.
The cost of inaction is too high; now is the time to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.