From Rights to Country-Level Action: Results of the Tenth Consultation of Member States on the 1960 Convention and Recommendation

The year 2020 marked a turning point for education worldwide. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic not only amplified the difficulties and revealed existing weaknesses, but also brought the unpreparedness and lack of resilience of national education systems to the fore.

The tenth consultation on the 1960 Convention against Discrimination in Education was conducted in precisely this context.

Providing a valuable opportunity for States to take stock of the progress made in implementing Convention and sharing interesting national practices, the Consultation revealed continuous and new challenges the education sector faces. The unique timing of the consultation also created an opportunity to report on actions taken to face
adverse effects of the pandemic.

This report analyzes and presents the Consultation findings, draws trends, and provides guidance for action. It shows how, by implementing the provisions of the Consultation, States can accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, while invites a reflection on possibly reviewing the framework of the right to education to further respond to new challenges and put an end to increased inequalities worldwide.