Education is more than preparation for life, it is life itself. It is humanity learning how to live together today and in the future. Yet, across the globe, education systems face challenges that leave many young people feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or disconnected.
The Right to Education Youth Network (REYN), led by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, offers young people a platform to share their voices, concerns, and ideas about the future of learning.
Who Is the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education?
- A Rapporteur is an independent expert chosen by the United Nations.
- They do not work for any government.
- Their role is to focus on one human rights theme or a specific country, reporting findings and making recommendations.
Currently, Farida Shaheed serves as the Special Rapporteur on the right to education. Her mission is to ensure that everyone has access to good quality education throughout their lives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Listening to students, learners, and youth worldwide.
- Studying global education trends and challenges.
- Advising the UN and governments on how to improve education systems.
- Visiting countries and writing reports to highlight progress and gaps.
Farida Shaheed emphasizes:
“Education is not only preparation for life. Education is life. It is humanity learning how to live together today and in the future.”
What Is REYN?
The Right to Education Youth Network (REYN) is a global initiative that connects young people directly with the UN’s work on education. It recognizes that education is in crisis and seeks to co-create solutions with youth.
Why REYN Matters:
- Many young people feel that classes are irrelevant.
- Systems often appear unfair and exams overwhelming.
- Learning can sometimes feel like frustration rather than hope.
REYN responds to these challenges by creating a space where youth voices are heard and valued.
How REYN Works
REYN connects young people with the UN’s education agenda in three main ways:
- Sharing Ideas and Concerns Youth can express what works in their education, what doesn’t, and what they envision for the future.
- Amplifying Youth Voices The Special Rapporteur communicates these perspectives to the world, ensuring policymakers and leaders hear directly from students.
- Informing Youth REYN keeps young people updated on recent news, projects, and initiatives related to education.
Together, these steps help co-create education systems that fit their purpose and meet the needs of learners today and tomorrow.
Why Join REYN?
Joining REYN means becoming part of a global youth movement that believes education should be empowering, inclusive, and transformative.
Benefits of Joining:
- Visibility: Your ideas and concerns reach international platforms.
- Connection: Engage with peers worldwide who share similar challenges and aspirations.
- Influence: Contribute to shaping education policies and practices.
- Updates: Stay informed about UN projects and global education developments.
How to Get Involved
Young people can join REYN and participate in shaping the future of education.
Steps to Participate:
- Share your experiences and ideas about education.
- Engage with REYN through social media.
- Use the hashtag #TaketheREYN to connect with the movement.
- Read the child-friendly booklet to learn more about the Special Rapporteur’s work.
Education in Crisis: Why Youth Voices Matter
Education today faces multiple crises:
- Relevance: Curricula often fail to connect with real-life challenges.
- Fairness: Inequalities persist across regions, communities, and social groups.
- Pressure: Exams and rigid systems create stress rather than motivation.
- Frustration: Many learners feel education is not serving their needs.
By joining REYN, young people can transform these frustrations into constructive dialogue and action.
The Right to Education Youth Network (REYN) is more than a program, it is a movement. It empowers youth to speak up, share their experiences, and co-create the education systems of tomorrow. With the leadership of Special Rapporteur Farida Shaheed, REYN ensures that education remains a source of hope, opportunity, and collective progress.
By joining REYN, young people take an active role in shaping that future. Join today and help co-create a system that works for everyone.
