On 6 July 2023, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland organized “Experience-Sharing on the Promotion of the Right to Education for All” on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The side event was held in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, who has been honored as UNESCO Eminent Personality of the World for her contributions to culture and learning.

Panelists included Ambassador Sihasak Phuangketkeow, former President of the HRC (2010-2011); Ms. Duriya Amatavivat, former Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Thailand; Mr. Yao Ydo, Director of UNESCO International Bureau of Education (UNESCO-IBE) in Geneva; and Mr. Ignasi Grau Callizo, General Director, International Organization for the Right to Education and Freedom of Education (OIDEL). The event was moderated by Mr. Pradeep Wagle, Chief of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section, OHCHR.

Building upon the work of Princess Galyani Vadhana to ensure that the children must not be marginalized in the access to education, the panelists shared experiences echoing the Princess’s belief that education is a basic right, not a privilege. Education is a fundamental key to empowerment as it paves the way to human dignity and better opportunities for other areas of life. Thus, education must be inclusive and accessible to all.

They also discussed the current challenges in education. The international community is falling behind on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) – quality education. Furthermore, digital disruption, in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI), could further widen education inequalities. Those left behind in the process could be vulnerable to, among others, violent extremism. To be fit for purpose, learning in the digital age must go beyond traditional pedagogy and cultivate the values of peace, coexistence, tolerance and human rights. Education can therefore be a tool to promote the 3-Ps of human rights: promotion, protection, and prevention. As such, all stakeholders must join hands and adopt a system-wide approach to upgrade the existing education system to become relevant in today’s global context and meaningful to all members of society.