Global Conferences

Running from late 2008 through 2009, UNESCO is holding a series of landmark international education conferences on inclusive quality education, education for sustainable development, adult learning, and higher education.  

A shared vision runs through these four events: one of education systems that encourage inclusion, quality learning, flexibility and innovation. They are anchored in the conviction that education is a right, a foundation for development and that learning happens throughout life. The conferences offer a unique global opportunity for broad dialogue on educational priorities, and will provide guidance to policy-makers and other stakeholders on paths for transforming education systems. Each conference brings together representatives from UNESCO Member States, UN agencies, multi-and bi-lateral cooperation agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia.

In most cases, preparatory regional conferences address specific regional concerns, expectations and proposals to bring to the international arena.

Related document

Quality Education, Equity and Sustainable Development
A holistic vision through UNESCO’s four World Education Conferences 2008-2009.

“Living and Learning for a Viable Future -The Power of Adult Learning”

The Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI)
1-4 December, Belem, Brazil

The Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) will provide an important platform for policy dialogue and advocacy on adult learning and non-formal education at the global level. It will build on the holistic understanding of adult learning and non-formal education established by CONFINTEA V twelve years ago. The conference is being organized by UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning. It was postponed by the Brazilian government in light of developments associated with Influenza A (H1N1) in the world. To know more

" The New Dynamics of Higher Education"

The World Conference on Higher Education 5-8 July 2009, UNESCO Paris

A global platform for innovative thinking, the World Conference on Higher Education organized by UNESCO will take stock of the changes in higher education and research since the first conference held in 1998. It will address the dynamics shaping the development of higher education and identify concrete actions to meet national development objectives and individual aspirations.  To know more

“The World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development – Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade”

31 March-2 April 2009, Bonn, Germany

Bringing together participants from over 150 countries, this conference took stock of achievements during the first half of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Participants exchanged best practices in the field and developed mechanisms for enhanced cooperation in the implementation of the UN decade, especialy focusing on North-South and South-South dialogue and cooperation. The conference was organized by UNESCO and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in cooperation with the German Commission for UNESCO.  To know more

Read the Bonn Declaration

“Inclusive Education: the Way of the Future”

The 48th session of the International Conference on Education 25-28 November 2008 (Geneva, Switzerland)

“Inclusive Education: the Way of the Future” focused on ways of providing education to the hundreds of millions of people around the world with little or no access to learning opportunities. Participants expressed particular concern over the potential impact of the global financial crisis and stressed that education was fundamental to reducing poverty and improving health and livelihoods. Ministers, education experts and representatives of civil society proposed concrete steps to improve education systems and overcoe major obstacles to inclusion. These steps include the development of policies that allow excluded groups access to regular school; the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity, and equipping teachers with skills and materials to teach diverse populations. To know more

Read the Conference declaration