JANUARY 24 IS OBSERVED AS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION
To mark this day, we hosted a webinar discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom, and the role of the United Nations to ensure AI is used ethically and equitably.
Details and Speaker Information can be found at CONFERENCES.
A recording of the webinar can be viewed on HERE
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A special Message from UN Secretary Guterres on October 24, 2025 - UN DAY observing 80 years of United Nations
“We the peoples of the United Nations...”
These are not just the opening words of the United Nations Charter – they define who we are.
The United Nations is more than an institution.  It is a living promise – spanning borders, bridging continents, inspiring generations.  
For eighty years, we have worked to forge peace, tackle poverty and hunger, advance human rights, and build a more sustainable world – together.
As we look ahead, we confront challenges of staggering scale: escalating conflicts, climate chaos, runaway technologies, and threats to the very fabric of our institution.
This is no time for timidity or retreat.  
Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone. 
On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of your United Nations.
Let’s show the world what is possible when “we the peoples” choose to act as one."

UN HIGH LEVEL WEEK
This week - September 22 - 27 Heads of State are convening at UN Headquarters in New York for the General Debate and other High Level Meeting. While for most people in New York High Level week means street closures and traffic jams, this is a very important time where major issues before the world body are discussed.
To learn more about the General Debate click HERE

The UN at 80

ACHIEVING THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS -
you can help
HERE is how

NEW UN WEBSITE - The Essential UN

A primer for those who want to understand the fundamentals of this intergovernmental organization born out of the ashes of the Second World War. Explained are: the main areas of the UN’s activities; how it makes a difference to the world’s people; and how every citizen can get involved and make a contribution. Linking you to more video explainers and inspiring stories about how the UN delivers.
Check it out HERE

ANNUAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The 2025 annual review of progress made toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will take place at UN Headquarters Monday 14 July through Wednesday 23 July. Known as High Level Political Forum (HLPF), this year's theme is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”  - The SDGs to be reviewed in-depth are Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Wednesday July 30 - World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an annual event globally observed on July 30th. The day was established on December 18, 2013, by the United Nations General Assembly with the desire to: Raise awareness. Promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims.

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Show your kindness for people and planet on Valentine’s Day

On Valentine’s Day, we show kindness to our loved ones, so why not include our dearest companion, our planet? Let’s celebrate through the lens of the SDGs by promoting kindness, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Book Recommendations for this Valentine’s Day:

• "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown (SDG 12): Brown's story teaches us that extra attention and care from a kind stranger can make all the difference. 
• "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson (SDG 17): A little kindness can go a long way. Woodson's story teaches us that being thoughtful with our actions and befriending someone new starts with kind words. 
• “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde (SDG 1): A poignant story by Oscar Wilde about compassion, charity, and selflessness.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION - January 24

With this year's theme “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”, the 2025 International Day of Education encourages reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand and influence technological advancement. For more information go to the UN website

UN DAY - October 24. Listen to the Special Message by UN Secretary Antonio Guterres

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The 79th Session of the UN General Assembly ( (UNGA79) opened in early September. High Level Week - with Heads of State giving their annual addresses to the World Body - began on Tuesday, September 24. Other significant events during this period included Global Goals Week and Climate Week

UN SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE - September 22-23, 2024
World Leaders gathered at UN HQ for the Summit of the Future, "a once in a generation opportunity for the international community to grapple with important questions, and forge a new path, for the benefit of all." The Summit was preceded by two "Action Days" on September 20 and 21 where Civil Society, Private Sector, Academia, local and regional authorities, youth and many other stakeholders had an opportunity for broad engagement and exchange of ideas toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to prepare for challenges that come with a rapidly changing environment, including the advance of technology.

Of Interest: Recent Report from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO): "THE UNJUST CLIMATE "

UN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE May 9-10, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya
In preparation for the Summit of the Future, scheduled to take place at UN HQ September Civil Society organizations and UN officials gathered at the UN compound in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss ways to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to prepare for challenges that come with a rapidly changing environment, including the advance of technology. Organizations that were not able travel to Nairobi for the conference had an opportunity to organize events offsite. More than 3,600 civil society representatives from 2,750 organizations, alongside approximately 400 delegates from 64 governments, seven intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), 37 UN entities, and over 100 media reporters participated. Notably, 70% of registered attendees were from Africa, with 40% representing youth aged 18 to 34, showcasing diverse community representation. Read the Co-Chairs' reflection on this important gathering. CTAUN will continue to share updates about preparations for the Summit of the Future.

DID YOU KNOW....? The UN has a beautiful collection of gifts received from Member States and organizations. They are located throughout the building and on the UN grounds, and include paintings, fabrics and sculptures - the most famous may be the "twisted gun" greeting visitors at the entrance. We invite you to visit them on this VIRTUAL TOUR

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION - JANUARY 24
The sixth International Day of Education will be celebrated on 24 January 2024 under the theme “learning for lasting peace” -- The world is seeing a surge of violent conflicts paralleled by an alarming rise of discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech. The impact of this violence transcends any boundary based on geography, gender, race, religion, politics, offline and online. An active commitment to peace is more urgent today than ever. Education is central to this endeavor. Read the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.

WORLD CHILDRENS DAY - NOVEMBER 20
On this day we celebrate children around the world, putting special emphasis on their health and well-being. Today more than ever children around the world are exposed to multiple challenges, such as conflict, climate change and the educational setbacks from Covid-19. This year's theme is "For Every Child Every Right" - as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child - and multiple focal points at the UN are dedicated to supporting children and their rights, especially UNICEF - the special UN agency dedicated to children.

CTAUN Webinar: Friday March 3, 2023
"HUNGER: MANY CAUSES, MANY SOLUTIONS"
Go to our CONFERENCE PAGE for details or watch the RECORDING

The fifth INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION was celebrated on 24 January 2023 under the theme “to invest in people, prioritize education”. Watch the event HERE

The World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2022. For more information read the Tashkent Declaration

Watch this space for announcements of upcoming CTAUN Events, including our next Conference at UN Headquarters

TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SUMMIT

On September 16, 17 and 19 2022 the UN Secretary General convened this summit which mobilized political ambition, action, solutions and solidarity to transform education and initiated efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; to reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow; and to revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4. Read the Secretary General's Vision Statement . The summit brought together education and political leaders from around the globe, including a large number of young people who contributed their goals in the Youth Declaration

RECENT WEBINARS:

April 22, 2022 - Earth Day:
"CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL HEATING:
WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER TO RESTORE OUR BROKEN PLANET"

February 21, 2022
"MULTILINGUALISM - THE NEW GLOBAL COMPETENCE STANDARD: MOTHER LANGUAGE + 2"

For program summaries and links to videos of these events check the CONFERENCE page

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION - JANUARY 24

The UN has a dedicated page on their website with educational resources for teachers.  The website, un.org/teach  includes curated content with links to UN resources, as well as teaching guides, focusing  on the Three Pillars of the UN:  Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human Rights, and Peace and Security.  You can also find information on the history of the UN. The information on the website was developed by the United Nations Visitor Center for K-12 (kindergarten to 12th grade) educators to assist and encourage them to incorporate UN content in their curriculum. 

Resources to learn about the SDGs include materials for very young children. Among those are Frieda - The Universal Message of the Sustainable Development Goals  , All Aboard for Global Goals, Climate Action Superheroes, and many more. For elementary grades and up, an excellent resource is The World's Largest Lesson. Most of these are free and can be downloaded at UN.org/teach