The Right to Education Initiative (RTE) along with 68 civil society organisations from all over the world welcome the publication yesterday of the landmark General Comment No. 7 on State obligations in the context of private provision of public services by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.  

On 22 September 2022, on the occasion of the second day of mobilisation against the commodification of education, the Right to Education Initiative and its partners in the Francophone world co-organized a webinar on the theme ‘State of play of the privatisation of education in Francophone Africa, comparative perspective’ which brought together more than 80 participants, from civil society organisations, governments and international institutions.

On 13 September 2022, the Right to Education Initiative and 37 civil society organisations (CSOs) released a joint statement in response to a working paper entitled ‘Can Education be Standardized? Evidence from Kenya’.

Today marks the third UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack. As 2022 advances with attacks on education occurring from DRC to Ukraine, from Cameroon to Syria, the need to galvanise efforts, energy and commitment behind the protection of education in the context of armed conflict is sadly more urgent than ever. 

The Right to Education Initiative (RTE) and UNESCO have jointly collaborated on a new publication entitled ‘Right to higher education: unpacking the international normative framework in light of current trends and challenges’, wh

Between 21 October 2021 and 30 June 2022, RTE collaborated on a research training course alongside the University of Geneva and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR). The training, focusing on research capacity towards advocacy for the right to education, was held online.

Between 28-30 June 2022, UNESCO held the Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris. The focus of the Pre-Sumit was to engage discussions and develop a shared vision and suggestion actions ahead of the Transforming Education Summit, which will be held in New York in September 2022. 

On 24 June, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Ms Koumbou Boly Barry, presented her new report ‘Impact of Digitalization of education on the right to education’ at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.

Between 15-17 June 2022, the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) was held in Marrakech, gathering civil society organisations (CSOs), representatives of states, educational personnel and students, and members of international organisations to discuss adult learning and education for sustainable development. 

At this year’s Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris, RTE will participate in a UNESCO-led side meeting entitled: ‘Transforming education: the need to expand the international legal framework'.

The session will take place on 29 June from 9am to 10am Central European Time (GMT+2), both in person in Room VII, UNESCO headquarters, and online.