Riyadh symposium puts youth at centre of education

Riyadh recently hosted an international education symposium that emphasized giving young people a more significant role in shaping future education systems. The UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education organized the event in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Education as part of International Youth Day 2026.

The symposium brought together young people, education policymakers, researchers, experts, and representatives from various institutions. Discussions centered around how education systems could better respond to learners' priorities and aspirations. The theme, "Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations: Youth Reimagining Quality and Excellence in Education," highlighted the importance of reimagining education with input from young people.

Organizers sought to move beyond mere consultation and into a more active role for youth in education policy and initiatives. A youth survey was distributed during the symposium to gather perspectives on educational quality, future learning priorities, and expectations of schools and education authorities. These responses were intended to inform the symposium's discussions and future programs.

One initiative highlighted was the Global Youth Network for Quality and Excellence (GYNQE), a youth-led international platform that aims to connect young people with opportunities to participate in education-related conversations and activities.

The event underscored the need for education systems to adapt more quickly to technological advancements, changing labor markets, and unequal access to high-quality learning. International Youth Day 2026 focused on shared aspirations among young people, regardless of geography, income, or social conditions. Key aspirations included quality education, access to employment, meaningful participation, and building sustainable futures.

Yemen’s involvement in the symposium highlighted contrasting circumstances among Arab education systems. Wealthier countries were investing heavily in digital learning and education reform, while conflict-affected countries continued to struggle with disrupted schooling, damaged infrastructure, and teacher shortages.

Yemen’s Education Minister, Adel Abdulmajeed Al-Abadi, signed an agreement with the UNESCO regional center to strengthen collaboration in education quality and excellence. The center's approach emphasizes quality alongside equity, arguing that educational excellence should be measured by more than just academic performance. Factors such as access, learner participation, teaching standards, institutional effectiveness, and responsiveness to social and technological change are increasingly important in policy discussions.