How the UN has helped advance education and children's rights around the world.
1. Universal declaration, 1948
Adopted in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognised education as a right,
calling for free, compulsory elementary schooling. Article 26 still informs education policy
and efforts to make learning accessible to every child around the world.
2. Education quality treaty
UNESCO adopted the Convention against Discrimination in Education in 1960, obliging states to
oppose exclusion in school access and opportunity. It remains a legal tool for challenging unequal
treatment based on race, sex, language, social origin or other grounds.
3. Education for all at Jomtien
In 1990, delegates at Jomtien adopted the World Declaration on Education for All, focusing on
basic learning needs for children, youth and adults. It helped guide reforms and later global targets,
including support for early learning and literacy worldwide.
4. UN literacy decade launched
UN declared 2003-'12 the Literacy Decade to extend learning to adults and children excluded
from school. Its emphasis on locally sustained literacy still informs efforts to keep adult educ-
ation and marginalised learners on policy agendas worldwide.
5. SDG 4 sets education goal
Adopted in 2015, Sustainable Development Goal 4 committed countries to inclusive, equitable,
quality education and lifelong learning for all. Its targets guide efforts on school access, gender
equality, skills, learning outcomes and support for disadvantaged learners.
