Paris, January 24, 2026. – UNESCO celebrated the International Day of Education on January 23 under the theme "Youth Co-Create the Future of Education," a global event that placed young people at the center as indispensable partners for transforming education systems and building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, participated in a ministerial roundtable alongside young activists from around the world, emphasizing that "youth are not only the future, but the architects of the present." Mohammed issued an urgent call to include young people in educational decision-making and to address the learning gaps affecting millions.
The event focused on how education can empower youth for peacebuilding, highlighting the conclusions of the Summit on Transforming Education and the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development. The World Youth Forum for Education was officially launched as a permanent platform for intergenerational dialogue.
On the occasion of this celebration, the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO engaged with participants, underscoring the Caribbean nation's historic commitment to free, universal, and quality education for all. Cuba highlighted how its system, based on social justice and inclusion, has empowered generations of young people, guaranteeing access from early childhood through university.
The Cuban representation mentioned national achievements that respond directly to the spirit of the Day:
- An enrollment rate exceeding 99%.
- A pedagogical model that integrates academic training with education in values, innovation, and community engagement.
- Specific programs that prioritize access and excellence for youth from all regions, including rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Cuba has extended its educational cooperation beyond its borders, with youth as protagonists. The "Yo, sí puedo" (Yes, I Can) literacy method, awarded by UNESCO, has been a key empowerment tool. In 2025, this collaborative effort was essential in the declaration of Honduras as a territory free of illiteracy, an achievement that opened new educational and personal development opportunities for thousands of Honduran youth and adults, demonstrating the concrete impact of South-South solidarity.
Once again, the Cuban delegation addressed the impact of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States, the main obstacle to the full development of the education sector in Cuba and its international outreach. According to the latest UN Secretary-General's report to the General Assembly on this policy, the blockade:
- Prevents or severely increases the cost of acquiring cutting-edge educational technology, laboratory equipment, teaching materials, and access to digital platforms and specialized software, limiting the tools available to young Cuban students and researchers.
- Restricts academic cooperation and youth exchange by hindering participation in international events, joint research projects, and mobility programs, isolating Cuban youth from global knowledge networks.
- Affects connectivity and access to information, violating the right to quality education in the digital age.
Despite this siege, Cuba maintains its determination to continue improving its education system, prioritizing the role of youth, and to sustain its solidarity contribution to other countries.
The celebration of the International Day of Education at UNESCO served to reinforce the message that the future of education depends on listening to and partnering with youth. Cuba, from its experience and despite the imposed adversities, represents a committed partner in this global objective.