“At a time when the field of education is in worldwide ferment, a single instructional phenomenon has captured the attention not only of professionals but of laymen.” Contrary to expectations, this innovative concept does not pertain to artificial intelligence (AI) or the integration of augmented reality in the classroom. Instead, the quote originates from an article in The UNESCO Courier about “teaching machines,” a collection of programmes developed in the USA to assist students in their learning.

In a joint effort to address educational challenges, UNESCO and the General Directorate of Education in Baghdad Governorate (Karkh 3) embarked on 5 October 2023 a significant initiative – the “Back to School Campaigns.”

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Qatar National Library (QNL), and Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation organized the “Arabic Novels to Bridge Cultures” workshop in the QNL premises on 28 October 2023, to promote Arabic literature for multicultural understanding.

The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) celebrated its 60th Anniversary on 8-9 November 2023, marking six decades of dedicated support to countries in planning and managing their education systems. The 60th Anniversary Symposium, hosted both in Paris, France, and online, served as a momentous occasion for reflection on the Institute's significant milestones and as a platform to envision the future of educational planning.

In commemoration of the fourth International Day against violence and bullying at school, including cyberbullying observed on 2 November, UNESCO is shedding light on the profound connections between school violence, mental health, and learning outcomes.

The UNESCO's 42nd General Conference was held in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, bringing together ministers and delegations from around the world, including Arab Member States, among others. The conference delved into multifaceted discussions spanning culture, education, science, communication, and information, along with pivotal topics such as the UNESCO budget for 2024 and 2025, and the UNESCO Human Resources Strategy for the period 2023-2027.

In response to the global crisis in education, the United Nations convened the Transforming Education Summit (TES) on 16, 17, and 19 September 2022, addressing issues of equity, inclusion, quality, and relevance. Focused on recovering pandemic-related learning losses and transforming education in a rapidly changing world, the Summit aimed to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and mobilize action and solidarity.

"في الوقت الذي يشهد فيه مجال التعليم حالةً من الغليان في جميع أنحاء العالم، استحوذت ظاهرة تعليميّة واحدة على اهتمام ليس فقط المتخصّصين، بل أيضًا الأشخاص العاديين." هل يشير الابتكار المعني إلى الذكاء الاصطناعيّ (AI ) أم إلى استخدام الواقع المعزّز في الفصول الدراسية؟" هذا الاقتباس مأخوذ من مقال في رسالة اليونسكو حول "آلات التعليم وتقنيّاته"، وهي مجموعة من البرامج التي تم ّتطويرها في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية لتوجيه الطلاب في تعلمهم. يعود تاريخه إلى… آذار/مارس 1965.

In a world where education and happiness are often seen as competing priorities, UNESCO is making a compelling case for their harmonious coexistence. Through its Happy Schools Framework, UNESCO emphasizes the importance of cultivating positive school environments that enhance not only academic achievement but also the well-being of students and teachers. This groundbreaking initiative took center stage in the third installment of UNESCO's Happy Schools webinar series, which was held on 4 October 2023.