In the SDG 4-Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee Sherpa meeting in May 2023, Luísa Ucha, Advisor to the Ministry of Education of the Portuguese Republic, unveiled an inspiring movement that is sweeping through the nation’s schools, empowering students, and making sure they are engaged in reshaping the future of education.
Following their participation in the Transforming Education Summit (TES) held at the United Nations in New York in September 2022, Portuguese students have translated the Youth Declaration into Portuguese thus igniting a nationwide conversation about student involvement in curriculum assessments and management.
Throughout the school year, the Youth Declaration was tackled in school classes, inter-school assemblies led by students of the Portuguese TES School Network (TSN), as well as in activities developed by the students of the Portuguese School Library Network (SLN). The result of this movement is the presentation of the findings and recommendations to the Minister of Education, by a group of 20 student delegates and SDG 4 Youth & Student Network members led by Mariana Antunes, representing TSN, and João Martins, representing SLN, during the Voice of the Students event in June 2023. The event is associated with the recommendations put forth by the Global Youth Initiative to guarantee the engagement of young people in formulating educational policies.
Additionally, with the support of the National Plan for the Arts, a dynamic initiative that has engaged more than half of the schools in the country, an upcoming international conference in November 2023 will provide a platform for student voices to shape cultural engagement.
Complementing the youth engagement efforts, the Portuguese Ministry of Education also made significant strides in digital competency and technology integration. Ucha revealed that every student in public schools now possesses a device, ensuring equitable access to digital tools and facilitating connectivity with teachers and other learners. This investment is not confined to hardware alone; it encompasses a comprehensive training program to empower teachers with the necessary skills to facilitate online learning and assessment.
The multifaceted approach underscores Portugal’s belief in the transformative power of education and the vital role that students play in building a brighter future. As Portugal continues to set an example on the global stage, this movement that encourages students to have a voice and be engaged is not only redefining education but also empowering the next generation to become active contributors to their communities and society at large.
