A Huge Challenge Offering Immense Rewards
Helen Porter is a teacher and executive member of the National Education Union.
I feel enthused and motivated to make my contribution
(however small) to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4:
Quality Education. ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.’
I am passionate about education and believe that an appropriate,
inclusive and quality education allows children to develop the
skills and thought processes that will enable them to become
active citizens. This, in turn, will enable their communities to
develop innovative solutions to their local problems. As they
solve these problems, they will also contribute to our global
effort to achieve sustainable development and tackle the most
significant challenges that are currently facing humanity.
Education underpins all of the other SDGs and allows people
to improve their lives and the lives of others. Statistics from the
United Nations indicate that 262 million children and adolescents
are currently out of school and are unable to access the most
basic education. That is 20% of children between the ages of six
and seventeen that are not attending school. Sadly, 617 million
children and adolescents lack minimum proficiency in reading
and mathematics, so have very limited access to technical skills, self-study and vocational training. This will severely limit
their career options and their potential contributions to society.
One of the major causes of limited quality education is the lack
of trained and qualified teachers. More international cooperation
is urgently needed to increase teacher training opportunities in
developing countries. The poor condition of school buildings
and facilities also contributes to the lack of quality education.
Investment is needed to improve school buildings, so that all
schools have electricity, clean water and sanitation. Some
children arrive at school feeling too hungry, ill or exhausted to
learn. So, it is essential that schools work closely with families
and communities to enable learning opportunities for every
child. We must continue to campaign to persuade governments
to commit to funding education adequately, whilst highlighting
the dangers and pitfalls of the privatisation of education.
When focusing on the ‘inclusive and equitable’ aspect of SDG4,
it is clear that inclusivity and equity have not been achieved.
Whilst major progress has been made in increasing the
enrolment rates of girls in primary education during the last
decade, few countries have achieved gender equality at all
levels of education. We must continue to campaign and strive
for gender equality in secondary, tertiary and higher education.
Children with disabilities, living in poverty and those from ethnic
minorities are less likely to benefit from a quality education.
Much work is necessary to improve access to school buildings
and facilities, so that schools are inclusive to children with
disabilities. Specialist training of staff who educate and care for
children with disabilities is essential to ensure that education
can be fully inclusive to the most vulnerable children.
As a teacher of 35 years experience and with one eye on
my retirement from teaching, I am looking for pathways to
contribute to the successful realisation of SDG4. I am delighted
to find that there are many interesting opportunities open to
me. I have become a Friend of the Steve Sinnott Foundation,
a UNICEF Children’s Champion and am looking forward to two
weeks volunteering at a school in Malawi with Mission Direct. I
feel confident that my increased involvement and networking
will lead to further opportunities and ideas. Raising awareness
is always an excellent starting point. If everyone who feels
passionate about educating the world’s children, contributes
is some small way, our many small efforts will accumulate
and consolidate to ensure that SDG4 is realised by the close
of the decade. The challenge is huge, but the rewards will be
immense.
Children and young people are our future. Educated young
people are empowered young people. They will be equipped
with the skills and imagination that will enable them to
contribute to sustainable growth and development.
From Engage issue 20.
HELEN PORTER • December 17, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
