The 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM), held in Fortaleza, Brazil, from 31 October to 1 November, marked a significant milestone in the global pursuit of educational equity and financing. Over 650 participants, including 50 Ministers from around the world and representatives of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network—a part of the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism facilitated by UNESCO—gathered to adopt the impactful Fortaleza Declaration.
The Fortaleza Declaration emerges as a robust roadmap for addressing education-related challenges. It emphasizes the necessity for innovative educational strategies that prioritize equity and inclusion, calling for a renewed focus on financing education to ensure no child is left behind as they pursue their studies.
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network believe it is essential to sustain the momentum of youth and student involvement in implementing the GEM outcomes. In celebration of the 2025 International Day of Education, the Network is hosting an online event dedicated to interactive dialogue among youth and students from all five UNESCO regions. The event aims to provide a meaningful space to share perspectives and recommendations on the implementation of the Fortaleza Declaration.
