International Day of Education 2026 Webinar

by | Jan 15, 2026 | AAU Webinars, News, Opportunities from the Secretariat | 0 comments

Theme: The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education: An African Imperative
Host: Association of African Universities (AAU)
Knowledge Partner: Afrobarometer
Date: January 23, 2026, | Time: 11:00 – 13:00 GMT | Format: Virtual

  1. Rationale and Background

The Association of African Universities (AAU), representing over 450 member institutions, will host a pivotal webinar to mark the 2026 International Day of Education. This event directly engages with UNESCO’s global theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education”.

Africa’s defining demographic reality – the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with over 400 million young people poised to enter the workforce in the coming decades, presents an unprecedented opportunity and imperative for development. However, despite improved access to education, systemic gaps persist. Data indicates that 45% of African youth (18-25) are unemployed, citing a lack of relevant skills and experience, while civic engagement is declining. This underscores a critical disconnect between education systems and the realities of youth aspiration, employability, and agency.

Concurrently, the digital transformation of education offers both a promise and peril. While digital tools can revolutionize learning, disparities in access risk entrenching inequality, and passive consumption of external platforms threatens African knowledge sovereignty. This webinar is therefore a strategic intervention. It moves beyond diagnosis to action, positing that African youth must be active architects, not just beneficiaries, of their educational future. It aligns with AAU’s core mission to advance quality, relevant higher education and the continental agenda for socio-economic transformation.

Webinar Objectives:

  1. To present Afrobarometer’s data on youth education, employment, and civic engagement as an evidence base for action.
  2. To facilitate a solutions-oriented, intergenerational dialogue between youth, educators, policymakers, and industry.
  3. To identify concrete, actionable pathways for integrating youth voice into policy, curriculum development, and institutional governance.
  4. To formulate clear recommendations for stakeholders to foster inclusive, youth-centric education ecosystems.

 

  1. Methodology, Format, and Agenda

The webinar will employ a 2-hour, virtual format to ensure broad, continental accessibility while fostering focused, interactive discussion. The flow is designed to progress from context-setting through a keynote presentation, to data insights, then to practical dialogue, concluding with a clear call to action.

Proposed Agenda

Time (GMT) Session Key Participants & Content Focus
11:00 – 11:10 Opening Session: A Continental Imperative Welcome by AAU & Afrobarometer representatives Contextualising the theme within Africa’s demographic and developmental agenda
11:10 – 11:30 Keynote: Reimagining Education with Youth as Architects Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, AAU Secretary-General. Sets vision for youth-led innovation, digital justice, and transformative education.
11:30 – 11:50 Data Spotlight: The Voice of African Youth Presentation of key findings on education, employment, digital access, and civic attitudes, grounding discussion in evidence – Afrobarometer
11:50 – 12:30 High Level Panel: Blueprints for Co-Creation Moderated dialogue exploring models for curriculum reform, governance inclusion, and skills for the future.
12:30 -12:50 Question and Answer Session Participants contributions to the discussions and engagement session
12:50 – 1:00 Official Closing & Call to Action: The AAU Roadmap Presentation of consolidated recommendations and AAU’s actionable frameworks for stakeholder commitment.

 

 

 

 

  1. Target Stakeholders and Partners

Primary Partners:

  • Lead Organizer: Association of African Universities (AAU)
  • Knowledge Partner: Afrobarometer

Target Audience:
This event is designed for a multi-sectoral, intergenerational audience crucial for systemic change:

  • University Leadership: Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and Deans from AAU’s network, who can implement institutional reforms.
  • Students & Youth Leaders: Representatives from national student unions and youth innovation hubs, whose direct experience is vital for co-creation.
  • Policy Makers: Officials from Ministries of Education, Youth, ICT, and the African Union Commission, who shape the enabling policy environment.
  • Development & Private Partners: Representatives from development agencies, and the EdTech/telecommunications sector, who provide essential resources and partnership.

  1. Expected Outcomes and Impact

The webinar is designed to yield tangible outputs that extend beyond the event itself:

  1. A Policy Brief: A concise, public document summarizing the data insights and panel recommendations for universities and governments.
  2. Strengthened Advocacy & Network: An amplified continental conversation using official hashtags (#EducationDay, #PowerOfYouth) and the activation of a community of practice under the AAU to champion this agenda.
  3. Actionable Roadmap: Clear next steps aligned with AAU’s strategic frameworks, to guide post-webinar action.

  1. Logistical Details

 

 

  1. References

  1. UNESCO. (2026). *International Day of Education 2026 global event: The power of youth in co-creating education*. UNESCO. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/international-day-education-2026-global-event-power-youth-co-creating-education]
  2. Afrobarometer. (2023) Africa’s youth: More educated, less employed, still unheard in policy and development. Afrobarometer. Retrieved from https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AD734-PAP3-Africas-youth-More-educated-less-employed-still-unheard-Afrobarometer-13nov23.pdf
  3. Association of African Universities (AAU). (2025, November 4). AAU Advocates for Digital Justice at Global Higher Education Forum in China. AAU. Retrieved from https://aau.org/2025/11/aau-advocates-for-digital-justice-at-global-higher-education-forum-in-china/]
  4. UNESCO. (2026, January 9). How you can join the International Day of Education 2026. UNESCO. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-you-can-join-international-day-education-2026]
  5. United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Education. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day]
  6. Association of African Universities (AAU). (2025, July 25). Press Release – AAU 16th General Conference Charts Bold Future for African Higher Education. AAU. Retrieved from https://aau.org/2025/07/press-release-aau-16th-general-conference-charts-bold-future-for-african-higher-education/]

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