Sporting events are hugely popular in our society, and athletes serve as role models for our children. Sport and physical education can play a large role in educating young people. More

• International Charter of Physical Education and Sport
• UNESCO Champions for Sport
• 2006 Report on Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS)
  (PDF Format)
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format)

Learning to respond to present needs without sacrificing the future: this is the aim of education for sustainable development. UNESCO is the lead agency for the UN Decade for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). More

• Projecting the planet into the future
  The New Courier, May 2005
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format - 231K)

UNESCO promotes higher education as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Its network of over 500 university chairs enhances cooperation between universities in 123 countries. More

• Precarious future for Iraqi universities
  UNESCO Courier, May 2005
• Study Abroad 2006-2007
  Reference for students
• Infosheet (PDF Format)

Today, over 100 million children, 55% of which are girls, still do not have access to primary education. On the occasion of International Women's Day (8 March), UNESCO stresses the importance of equal opportunities for girls and boys. More

• UNESCO celebrates 8 March
  Watch video of events
• Key to the Future
  The New Courier, November 2005
• Women Who Make the News
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format - 107K)

In 2005 nearly 500 million adolescents were enrolled in secondary schools, versus 321 million in 1990. In order to deal with this increase, it is urgent to improve students' options and boost technical and professional training. 

• UNESCO-UNEVOC
  International Centre for Technical and Vocational Training
• Secondary Education
• Infosheet
  (Download PDF - 94K)

More than 40 million people are currently infected with the HIV virus (source: UNAIDS). On the occasion of World AIDS Day, UNESCO reiterates the importance of prevention education. More (PDF format - 176K)

• Message from the Director-General
  1 December - World AIDS Day
• HIV AIDS and Culture
• EDUCAIDS
  The Global Initiative on Education and HIV/AIDS
• Worldwide "Lesson for Life"
  Simultaneous event for over 10 million youths on 1 December
• HIV/AIDS and Media Production

Governments establish national education policies by setting goals, defining guidelines and implementing strategies. UNESCO provides technical assistance to put these policies in place. More

• Infosheet on National Education Policies
  (PDF - 183K)
• Educational Policies and Plans
• The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
• Literacy for Change
  The New Courier - April 2003

Between 15 and 35 million more teachers are needed worldwide if Education For All (EFA) is to be achieved by 2015 More

• Infosheet on Teachers
  (PDF format - 199K )
• Teacher Training
• Wanted Teachers
  Education Today, Jan-Mar 2005
• UNESCO at 60

Peaceful conflict resolution, encouraging mediation, establishing student parliaments are but some of the methods developed over the past fifteen years to promote civic education. UNESCO supports this movement whose aim is to encourage learning to live with others. More

• Infosheet on Education for Citizenship
  [PDF - 210K]
• Bringing peace to the playground
  The New Courier, April 2004
• Education: Part of the problem, essential for the solution
  The New Courier, January 2004

Although global literacy has risen by 10% in the past 20 years, 785 million adults, two thirds of them women, remain illiterate. International Literacy Day, celebrated every September 8 for the past 40 years, aims to focus on this situation. The fight against illiteracy is one of the pillars of Education for All, a flagship activity of UNESCO. 

• More information on Education for All
• 8 September : International Literacy Day
• UNESCO’s 60th anniversary