Review of SDG implementation and interrelations among goals: Discussion on SDG 4 - Quality education

The 2030 Agenda is universal, holistic and indivisible, with a core principle to leave no one behind. The achievement of SDG 4 – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all – plays a central role in building sustainable, inclusive and resilient societies. While education is most explicitly formulated as a stand-alone goal (SDG4) in the 2030 Agenda, it also has close links with all the other SDGs and the 2030 Agenda as a whole. There are a number of education-related targets and indicators in other SDGs, including health and well-being (Target 3.7), gender equality (Target 5.6), decent work (Target 8.6), responsible consumption and growth (Target 12.8), and climate change mitigation (Target 13.3).

Progress has been made towards achieving SDG 4. There are new knowledge horizons, new challenge sand new opportunities for the provision of quality education and lifelong learning for all. The context is also changing with new technologies and skills demands, population trends as well as economic shocks and environmental degradation. Many barriers to education access and educational outcomes remain in place and there continues to be challenges to the monitoring of progress remain. Since education is not only an integral part of, but also a key enabler for sustainable development, it needs to be included in national development plans and strategies for achieving all the SDGs. Education is also related to strengthening solidarity and partnerships.

This session will have an interactive discussion format.

Background note is available here

Information for Expert Group Meeting on SDG4 is available here

Proposed guiding questions:

What are some practical ways to improve access to quality education and life-long learning and deliver genuine impact both on people and sustainable development? Which ones can be scaled up or replicated for success?
Which groups are the easiest/most difficult to reach and what can be done to ensure that no one is left behind in access to quality education and learning or teacher training?
What actions can countries take to monitor the quality of education and ensure better learning outcomes?
Which are the most critical interlinkages between SDG 4 and other goals and targets across the 2030 Agenda? How can co-benefits be promoted and trade-offs reduced?
How do learning systems need to change to match a rapidly changing world with technological shifts, global integration and climate pressures?

Chair:

H.E. Ms. Inga Rhonda King, President of Economic and Social Council

Video clips from children and youth in schools

Presentations:

Mr. Shaswat Sapkota, Development Data and Outreach Branch, Statistics Division of UN DESA
Lobby de Poissy on European Declaration of Planet’s Rights by students

Moderator:

Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF

Resource persons:

H.E. Mr. John McLaughlin, Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Development, Canada
Mr. Kazuhiro Yoshida, Co-chair of the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee
Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry, former Minister of Education and Literacy of Burkina Faso, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education
Ms. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO
H.E. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development

Lead discussants:

Ms. Susan Hopgood, President of the Education International
Ms. Maria Jose Monge, President of the Fundacion Monge, Costa Rica
Ms. Madeleine Zuniga, Vice President of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) (MGoS)

Followed by interactive discussion