(NEWS) International Day of Education 2023

January

2023

International Day of Education 2023 - To Invest in People, Prioritize Education

The International Day of Education is celebrated annually on 24 January. This year’s theme is "To invest in people, prioritize education". As the world’s premier centre of excellence for maritime and oceans postgraduate education, research and capacity building, the World Maritime University (WMU) is committed to contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality Education, by educating future maritime leaders, policy-makers and stewards of maritime and ocean sustainable development. WMU is positioned and willing to assist and support, to the greatest extent possible, the capacity-building efforts of all relevant and well-meaning stakeholders through enhanced and life-long maritime/oceans education and training.

In recognition of the International Day of Education, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University (WMU) provided the following message:

“The 2023 International Day of Education theme, “To invest in People, Prioritize Education”, aligns directly with the capacity building mission of WMU. This year, the University is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The high quality education, research, and capacity-building opportunities that WMU provides are invaluable for the shipping industry and in turn, for the global economy. As the International Maritime Organization’s apex institution for postgraduate maritime and ocean education, the United Nations General Assembly, in its Resolutions on Ocean and Law of the Sea, continues each year to recognize WMU as a centre of excellence for maritime and ocean education, research, scholarship and capacity-building. In the maritime context, education and training play a vital role for safe, secure and sustainable maritime and ocean development.

Through our innovative educational programmes, WMU provides unique insights into the maritime and ocean sectors. The work that takes place at WMU is invaluable and must be ensured as we continue to educate the maritime and ocean leaders of tomorrow. As someone who directly benefited from the generosity of scholarship donors who funded my university education and PhD studies, I am highly motivated to ensure as many WMU students, especially those from the developing world, are afforded fellowship opportunities to benefit from WMU’s highly specialized education in maritime and ocean affairs, which would otherwise not be within their reach. Therefore I take the opportunity on the International Day of Education to encourage all maritime stakeholders to consider how they can contribute to the important work taking place at WMU, whether that be through funding fellowships, contributing to the University’s endowment fund, engaging with WMU on research, or providing visiting lecturers or conference speakers. Your support will continue to build maritime and ocean capacity and expertise in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda in order to advance a sustainable future for the maritime industry, our ocean, and humankind.”

About the International Day of Education

On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 24 January the International Day of Education, in celebration of the important role of education for the attainment of global peace and sustainable development. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education - is across-cutting goal and a primary driver for the achievement of all 17 UNSDGs. Its primary aim is to ensure inclusive, equitable and high-quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Education is a human right that contributes to individual and societal growth and prosperity and plays a key role in shaping the future of humanity and the planet.

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