Let’s Transform Our World For The Better
Audrey Osler is Professor of Citizenship and Human Rights Education, University of Leeds, UK and University or South-Eastern Norway.
I specialise in education for citizenship and human rights,
in both established democracies and post-conflict societies.
This has led me to diverse places and regions, including sub-
Saharan Africa; Aceh, Indonesia; Iraq-Kurdistan; and, most
recently, Sri Lanka. Experience confirms my belief that education
is key to the realisation of human rights and gender equality.
UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, quality education, is
central to the wider sustainability agenda. Without appropriate
education many of the other goals are effectively non-starters.
The Sustainable Development Goals, agreed in 2015, are a set of
aspirations with concrete targets. The first step in realising their
ambitious agenda is to hold our governments to account. It’s
important to remember that they are not legally binding. They
form an ambitious agenda to transform our world for the better by
2030. They are only likely to be realised if we, as citizens, working
with others, including elected representatives, ensure our
government and political leaders are held accountable both for
these promises and for legally binding human rights obligations.
A second step in realising SDG 4 is to prompt an in-depth
discussion about the meaning of an inclusive and equitable
quality education. Much is made of the need to ensure adequate
resources and teacher education. Clearly these are essential.
But we also need to debate the aims and content of education.
The near-universally ratified Convention on the Rights of the
Child, along with the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, spell out the basis for a quality
education. These agreed international standards propose
curriculum aims. These include development of respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; respect for
the child’s cultural identity, language and values and other
cultures and civilizations. A quality education must necessarily
include human rights education and intercultural education.
Equally, the curriculum should equip the learner with the skills
to participate in society ‘in the spirit of understanding, peace,
tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples’,
and ensure social and environmental sustainability.
Some may question this agenda, arguing that universal primary
education must, in the first instance, promote literacy and
numeracy. Yet this isn’t an either/or choice. We are living in
dangerous times, with increased authoritarianism across the
globe; a global climate emergency; and an increasing tendency
for governments to deride international institutions, undermine
democratic processes, avoid journalistic scrutiny, overlook
human rights standards, and play to populist agendas that
promote blind nationalism and xenophobia. The curriculum
knowledge and skills outlined here are more necessary than
ever, if we are to avoid global conflict.
A third step is to foster global solidarity and a stronger
cosmopolitan outlook, not just among young learners but
all citizens, including teachers. Even wealthy countries
need international support and solidarity to address crises,
as illustrated by the international response to Australia’s
devastating bush fires in 2019-20. Those who have lived
under repressive regimes are often most acutely aware of
the need for cosmopolitanism.
The artist C sar Manrique,
who lived in Franco’s Spain, expressed this provocatively: ‘I
believe in humankind as a totality. I don’t believe in religion,
or in borders, or in nationalities, or in flags.’ He went on to say: 'We live on this planet for such a short space of time that
each one of our steps should lead towards building the
dreamed space of utopia more and more. Let us build
it together. That is the only way of making it come true.'
Citizenship action for government accountability, a deep
discussion about a quality curriculum, together with a utopian
cosmopolitan vision, offer a pathway towards greater social
justice through education.
From Engage issue 20.
AUDREY OSLER • December 8, 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.
