Advancing the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation in the Asia-Pacific: Regional Implementation and Global Linkages

• In Event: Virtual Roundtable Session 1
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: Innovative Pedagogies for Peacebuilding and Global Citizenship: Comparative and Participatory Perspectives

Proposal

This roundtable aims to critically examine the policy implications and regional relevance of UNESCO’s 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development (hereafter “the Recommendation”), with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific context. As the first revision of the 1974 Recommendation in five decades, the 2023 version expands its foundational pillars—peace and human rights—by integrating sustainability as a core principle, thereby aligning with contemporary global imperatives.
In response, a regional Road Map for implementation was developed in 2024 to support Member States in contextualizing the Recommendation’s principles and priorities. The Road Map offers a framework for holistic, country-level implementation strategies and identifies key areas for action in alignment with SDG Goal 4. It emphasizes shared values such as peace, equity, cultural diversity, and sustainability, while acknowledging the sociocultural, political, and economic diversity of the region.
Developed through broad consultation with education stakeholders, National Commissions, and civil society actors, the Road Map builds upon existing initiatives and articulates eight strategic domains:
1. Legal frameworks, policies, and strategies
2. Governance, accountability, and partnerships
3. Curriculum and pedagogy
4. Assessment and evaluation
5. Learning and teaching materials and resources
6. Learning environments
7. Capacity development for teachers and education personnel
8. Regional collaboration and exchange
This roundtable will explore a Policy Brief derived from the Road Map, analyzing how the Recommendation can concretely contribute to cultivating a culture of peace in the Asia-Pacific region. It will also consider how regional efforts intersect with and inform global initiatives, fostering cross-regional dialogue and mutual learning.

Authors

• Miki Sugimura, Sophia University

• Faryal Khan, UNESCO Bangkok