A series of reports have synthesized findings from nine regional and thematic consultations that address the right to higher education, which is a fundamental component of the broader right to education. This initiative, launched by UNESCO’s International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) in 2021, seeks to emphasize the significance of advancing the right to higher education and the need to incorporate social justice considerations into this dialogue, with partial support from a grant provided by the Open Society Foundations.
Redefining the Right to Higher Education
Francesc Pedró, the Director of UNESCO IESALC, highlighted the need to redefine the understanding of the right to higher education through a human rights lens that confronts obstacles to access, success, and completion in quality educational programs.
Conducting Consultations
Between April 2022 and January 2023, the consultations were conducted, comprising five regional meetings addressing Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with four thematic discussions that covered topics such as gender equality, disability, the challenges faced by refugees, and the principles of merit within education.
Diverse Stakeholder Engagement
These sessions involved a diverse array of stakeholders, including scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students, fostering an in-depth exploration of the key challenges and potential strategies related to the right to higher education across different contexts.
Outcomes and Proposals
A collection of briefing notes and a synthesis report were generated from these consultations, articulating the principal findings and outlining actionable measures aimed at achieving an international consensus on the right to higher education.
The Role of UNESCO IESALC
As the only specialized United Nations institute dedicated to the promotion of higher education, UNESCO IESALC recognizes the importance of embedding discussions on the right to higher education into the global agenda, and advocating for policy reforms that promote equitable access to higher education for all.
Source: UNESCO IESALC