On 8 October 2025, members of the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group (EASG) gathered for the Global Education Vision Meeting, bringing together participants from across regions to reflect on the group’s progress and chart a collective path forward for education advocacy in the final years of Agenda 2030.
Reflecting on Achievements and Challenges
The meeting featured participation from representatives across Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Africa, who shared insights from their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the group’s growing achievements, including stronger internal coordination, enhanced democratic participation, and improved collaboration with other stakeholder groups.
However, the conversation also addressed ongoing challenges: limited funding, the complexity of diverse educational priorities within the group, and concerns about the declining focus of education in international decision-making spaces. As geopolitical tensions and reduced development financing reshape global agendas, EASG members reaffirmed their shared commitment to defending education as a public good and a human right.
Advocating for Inclusive and Public Education
Since its establishment in 2016, EASG has been a strong voice for education in UN processes, consistently promoting inclusive, quality, and publicly funded education for all. Participants emphasized the need to counter the privatisation of education and strengthen global advocacy for education as a core enabler of sustainable development.
The Organizing Partners presented a global overview of the recent success for EASG, and challenges facing education advocacy, from declining ODA support and a gender equality backlash, to the rise of nationalism and shrinking civic space, urging the group to adapt its strategies to protect education systems and uphold academic freedom.
Strengthening SDG4 Advocacy
Discussions focused on how to revitalize advocacy for SDG4 within the UN and beyond. Participants highlighted the need for:
- Better coordination between global and regional education actors;
- Engagement with governments and UN missions to strengthen the visibility of education at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF);
- Reinforcing collaboration with relevant networks and coalitions; and
- Developing a roadmap for SDG4 advocacy for the years ahead.
The group also reviewed lessons from their HLPF engagement, recognizing the importance of grassroots mobilization and intersectoral collaboration to ensure education remains central to sustainable development efforts.
