Insights from AMALY’s participation in UNESCO’s celebration of the International Day of Education 2026
AMALY – Sustainable Development and Environment Moroccan Association was represented by its honorary member at UNESCO’s International Day of Education 2026 celebration, held in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris the 23rd January 2026 – under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.” The global event brought together youth, students, policymakers, educators, and international institutions to reflect on how education systems can better include young people in shaping their present and future.
Across the day, a clear message emerged: youth participation must move beyond listening and consultation toward meaningful partnership and co-creation.
From Voice to Partnership
A key idea highlighted during the event — and reinforced by several speakers — is that youth engagement follows a continuum:
- Youth are listened to
- Youth are consulted
- Youth must be included as partners in co-creating education
Reaching this final stage requires more than good intentions. It requires structures, trust, and a willingness to share decision-making power with young people.
What the Global Evidence Shows
Insights from the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Youth Report, presented during the event, show a persistent gap between participation and influence:
- Only 1 in 3 governments have formal mechanisms for youth participation in education policy and legislation.
- Only 20% of youth organizations feel they genuinely collaborate with governments.
- 6 in 10 youth and student organizations are consulted during policy design.
- Yet, only 1 in 3 see their feedback reflected in final decisions.
These findings confirm that while youth voices are increasingly present, they are not yet consistently empowered to shape outcomes.
Storytelling, Digital Spaces, and Visibility
One speaker highlighted the growing importance of storytelling and digital platforms in amplifying youth voices. For participation to be meaningful, youth perspectives must not remain confined to closed meetings or formal consultations.
Digital spaces allow stories to travel, connect, and resonate beyond borders — helping youth voices gain visibility, legitimacy, and collective strength. Storytelling becomes a tool for influence, not just expression.
Youth Power Must Be Enabled
In the closing remarks, Ms. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, invited participants to think big and reflect on the notion of power. She emphasized that youth power is real and transformative, but it does not operate on its own.
For power to be effective, it must be:
- Recognized
- Enabled
- Translated into real opportunities to act and decide
Without this enabling environment, participation risks remaining symbolic. With it, youth can become true partners in transforming education systems.
AMALY’s Perspective
At AMALY, we strongly align with this vision. We believe that education becomes more inclusive, relevant, and sustainable when young people are empowered to participate meaningfully — not only as learners, but as contributors and co-creators.
Supporting youth voice, storytelling, and participation is not an add-on to education. It is a foundation for building systems that reflect the realities, hopes, and responsibilities of the generations they serve.
AMALY’s Call to Action
Aligned with UNESCO’s vision, AMALY – Sustainable Development and Environment Moroccan Association calls for creating spaces where youth voices are heard, shared, and included in decision-making.
Listen. Share. Act — one decision at a time.