Who are we ?

The LearningPlanet Festival was first launched in 2020 in partnership with UNESCO. Since then, it has been organised each January to celebrate the International Day of Education, and has grown into a global movement uniting hundreds of thousands of participants from 193 countries. It has become a shared space for dialogue and action, where youth, educators, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and changemakers come together to reimagine education and take steps towards learning to take care of oneself, others, and the planet.

Since 2006, the Learning Planet Institute has been dedicated to reinventing learning for all ages (lifelong learning) through collective intelligence in order to build sustainable & inclusive learning societies able to rise to the complex challenges we face. The Institute’s mission is to explore, research and share new ways of learning and cooperating in order to respond to the needs of the youth and the planet. By encouraging and disseminating a culture, methods and tools for empowerment, it transforms organisations. Ultimately, it leads communities and supports “Learning Planetizens” to take care of themselves, others and the planet.

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

Our Shared Goals

A shared learning agenda

Build a global coalition that amplifies diverse voices, particularly from the Global South, to advance a shared learning agenda that empower students and communities to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for all.

Youth participation & intergenerational leadership

Center youth participation and intergenerational collaboration in transforming education. Equip youth to think critically, act decisively, and co-create solutions for global challenges, preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving world.

Education for Human Flourishing

Advocate for shifting education’s purpose to prioritize well-being and human flourishing by nurturing creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving to address global challenges and lead fulfilling lives.

A planetary mission for education

Champion a planetary mission for education: Shift from “best in the world” to “best for the world.” Advocate for inclusive learning models prioritizing peace, sustainability, and care, fostering global responsibility and collaboration for planetary well-being.

Our journey so far

24 January 2020

The Birth of the Learning Planet Festival

Launched on the International Day of Education by the Learning Planet Institute and UNESCO at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Festival has grown over the into a global event. Now featuring over 600 annual events organized by 500+ international partners, it engages hundreds of thousands of participants from 193 countries in hybrid, online, and on-site settings.

29 June 2023

Report Launch: Exploring Local Learning Ecosystems in the Global South

In partnership with the Global Education Leaders’ Partnership (GELP) and Dream a Dream, the Learning Planet Institute published a report exploring the potential of local learning ecosystems in the Global South. The report highlights 11 ecosystems across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, examining how focusing on thriving, trust, collaboration, and data can reshape education. The second phase of this report is set to launch in December 2025.

September 2024

Launch of the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge (YDC)

Launched at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, the Youth Design Challenge empowers youth aged 15–26 to design innovative education projects that create real-world impact. The initiative supports young changemakers with mentorship, resources, and networks to address global challenges and shape a sustainable future.

March 2025

Launch of the United Nations University (UNU) Hub at the Learning Planet Institute

The Learning Planet Institute, in partnership with the United Nations University (UNU), established the UNU Hub on Future of Learning with Youth in the Age of AI. This Hub empowers youth as planetary citizens, creating research, education, and policy programs to tackle global challenges. It champions youth participation, intergenerational collaboration, and scalable, human-centered learning, using AI to enhance educational experiences.

October 2025

Launch of the “Atlas of Peaceful Futures Practices”

As part of the Peaceful Futures programme, the Learning Planet Institute, in collaboration with Global Education Futures, introduced a practitioner’s guide for building peace-based civilizations. The Atlas is a living document shaped by young changemakers and peacebuilders worldwide. It shares practices and insights that highlight youth as co-creators of peaceful futures, aligning with the Institute’s mission to empower learners as agents of change.