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International Day of Education is observed every year on January 24; in 2026, it is recognized in the EU as the event continuing the United Nations’ commitment to advancing education worldwide. This year’s theme is “the power of youth in co-creating education”: hence, this time the EU states will have to recognise youth and their role as “agents of change” in inclusive and equitable quality education and sustainable growth.
Background
Education is generally regarded as a solid foundation for personal fulfillment, employability as well as “creating” an active and responsible citizenship. Education and training are essential to the vitality of European societies and economies.
Access to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning is a right for all European citizens, as enshrined within the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Facing the International Day of Education, the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to education as the foundation of the European social model and as a cornerstone of the EU-wide prosperity, democracy and competitiveness.
Education empowers people to shape their own futures, strengthens democracy and fosters social cohesion; besides, it equips Europeans with adequate “instruments” to meet modern challenges, such as the digital and green transitions, security and resilience, while ensuring that everyone can participate fully in society.
Main EU’s achievements
During decades of concentrated efforts, both the EU institutions and the member states have made resolute achievements towards a widespread and effective educational systems.
= The European Education Area, EEA has brought the EU states closer together through shared objectives, cooperation and mobility. The EEA’s initiatives structure collaboration among the states and stakeholders in creating more resilient and inclusive national education systems. Yet, there are still numerous skill’s gaps and barriers to the recognition of qualifications, shortages of teachers and trainers, coped with risks of exclusion. Addressing these challenges is essential to future-proof the EU and the states’ education and training systems.
More in: https://education.ec.europa.eu/about-eea/the-eea-explained#next
The strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training will contribute to the achievement of the European Education Area by:
= supporting EU member states with their reforms of education and training systems;
= enhancing synergies with other policy areas, such as research and innovation, social policy, employment and youth, as well as with EU funding instruments to better support national reforms; and
= identifying targets and indicators to guide work and monitor progress
This European strategic framework provides the essential structure for collaboration between member states and key stakeholders to achieve their collective “education’s vision”.
More on EEA in: https://education.ec.europa.eu/
= With the Union of Skills, this Commission has put competences and skills at the heart of the EU’s political agenda. Through the Union of Skills, the European Commission plans to address the skills and labour gaps in the European Union. This strategy sets out to deliver higher levels of basic skills, opportunities for workers to regularly learn new and additional skills, and ease of recruitment. The EU member states need skilled people to respond to new challenges and stay competitive. But as job requirements change, many workers struggle to keep up and businesses cannot find the right talent.
The lack of skills and labour gaps are hindering European competitiveness: hence, the European Commission is introducing the union of skills, a plan to improve high quality education, training, and lifelong learning.
The Union of Skills will empower people across the EU with the skills they need to succeed in their educational and professional lives. It will also make it easier to use these skills in different EU countries. By addressing gender imbalances and helping European businesses find the workers they need, it aims to make the EU more competitive and inclusive. Improving education and skills will also ensure that Europe’s social model remains affordable, thanks to its competitive economy.
Generally, the Union of Skills aims to:
= deliver higher levels of basic and advanced skills;
= provide opportunities for people to regularly update and learn new skills;
= facilitate recruitment by businesses across the EU, and
= attract, develop and retain top talent in Europe
On Union of Skills in: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/competitiveness/union-skills_en
In a world shaped by digitalisation and artificial intelligence, basic skills need to go beyond literacy, mathematics and sciences. Digital and citizenship education are equally essential, enabling learners to think critically, engage democratically and navigate the digital world.
Besides, in 2026, the Commission will adopt an Education Package to empower learners, support teachers and modernise schools. It will strengthen basic skills through a dedicated support scheme, encourage cooperation among schools across the member states and support digital education. This year will also be crucial for enhancing the European dimension in citizenship education, as announced in the European Democracy Shield.
The European vocational education and training strategy will aim at making vocational education and training more attractive and innovative.
Perspectives
Looking ahead, the EU-wide “2030 Roadmap” on the future of digital education and skills will promote artificial intelligence literacy, digital wellbeing, resilience to disinformation, digital sovereignty and cooperation with the European education and technology’s sectors. The EU has made digital education a priority: hence, the Digital Education Action Plan sets out a common vision of high-quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe.
Central to these efforts are initiatives like “Ethical Guidelines on the use of AI and data in teaching and learning” and the Guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy through education and training. These tools are designed to enhance digital education in European schools and ensure that everyone benefits from effective and ethical use of digital tools.
More in: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_3023
The EU is actively working, on the continent and beyond, to promote inclusive and high-quality education. By sharing expertise, supporting teachers, investing in future-ready competences and fostering learning mobility and cooperation, the EU aims to contribute to global talent development.
In a faster and more unstable world, advancing education is not only an act of solidarity, but a vital investment in stability and a shared future grounded in democratic values.
Presently, the EU member states “honor educators and learners and call on all stakeholders to work together to build a fair and future-ready world through education”.
Source and citations from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_189
thanks for this