Pandemic disruption to learning is an opportunity to reimagine, revitalize education

24 January 2021
Culture and Education
© UNICEF/Seng

To mark the third International Day of Education on Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to the resilience of students, teachers and families in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic that, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.

FROM THE FIELD: The microscopic creatures helping build Africa’s Great Green Wall

Economic and Social Council turns 75; President reaffirms mandate to tackle pandemic, development challenges

Healthier world means ‘safer America’ Tedros stresses, as UN-led vaccine initiative announces deal for 40 million doses 

Sudan: 250 killed, over 100,000 displaced as violence surges in Darfur

Mali in transition: UN peacekeeping chief takes stock of political and security developments

UN Photo/DB

Guterres hails entry into force of treaty banning nuclear weapons

Peace and Security

The first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades, came into force just after midnight on Friday, hailed by the UN Secretary-General as “an important step towards a world free of nuclear weapons”.

© UNICEF/Ruhani Kaur

Pandemic will not end for anyone, ‘until it ends for everyone’ 

Human Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic “will not end for anyone, until it ends for everyone”, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday, advocating for an equitable and globally-coordinated vaccine distribution programme. 

MINUSCA/Leonel Grothe

Central African Republic: UN mission chief appeals for more peacekeepers

Peace and Security

The top UN official in the Central African Republic (CAR) appealed to the Security Council on Thursday for more peacekeepers and equipment amid escalating violence surrounding elections last month.

WHO

Fauci announces US intention to resume major role in global health

Health

The United States’ top medical official said on Thursday that the US will now join the World Health Organization’s global initiative to help poorer nations overcome COVID-19, in addition to a raft of new measures in support of access to universal healthcare, such as abortion services. 

WHO/Christopher Black

COVID ‘vaccine hoarding’ putting Africa at risk: WHO

Health

Africa is in danger of being left behind in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, thus driving up prices, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday. 

Headlines at a glance

Iraq: UN chief condemns ‘horrific’ double suicide bombing at Baghdad market

Colombia: Criminal elements use violence and intimidation to ‘stamp out’ leaders’ voices

Guterres urges world to ‘work together in solidarity’ as US moves to rejoin WHO

Senior panel probing violations in Syria, examining new measures to safeguard humanitarians

Secretary-General welcomes US return to Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Decade of conflict triggering ‘slow tsunami’ across Syria, Security Council hears 

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