As the world marks International Day of Education 2026—observed globally on 24 January—there is renewed focus on the transformational role that education can play in shaping inclusive, equitable, and resilient societies.
The theme for 2026, “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education”, invites us to reimagine education as a shared journey of inquiry and creativity, and to consider how youth can contribute.
Youth aged 15 to 24 constitute almost 20 per cent of the Pacific population and are a driving force for innovation, social transformation and sustainable development. Yet, too often, they remain underrepresented in decisions that shape what and how they learn. This year’s theme challenges educators, policy-makers and communities to move beyond conventional models and place young people at the centre of educational design and delivery.
A youth-centred approach to learning
The 2026 theme aligns closely with the aims of the Pacific Community (SPC) in the education sphere. SPC supports efforts to orient education systems towards equipping the people of the Pacific region with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy and productive lives and towards ensuring education is relevant to the needs and aspirations of young people and for addressing the challenges they face.
Recognising that life in the Pacific is deeply connected to the ocean, which sustains communities, links islands and shapes identities, SPC promotes efforts to assist the region’s youth to gain greater knowledge of the ocean and become informed stewards of our marine ecosystems.
In this regard, in 2025 SPC convened a Science Teaching and Learning Summit in partnership with National Geographic Pristine Seas, which brought together educators from 14 Pacific Island countries to explore ways of introducing ocean content into school curricula.
Commenting on the Summit, Dr Michelle Belisle, Director of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) of the Pacific Community (SPC), remarked that the summit was a remarkable event that built on both traditional Pacific knowledge and scientific research.
“It was a unique opportunity to strengthen the way we teach and learn ocean science in the Blue Pacific region,” she shared.
The collaboration led to the creation of the Ocean Literacy Resource Repository, launched in September 2025 during SPC’s International Literacy Day celebrations.
Designed with the needs of young people in mind, the Repository is a digital hub that leverages technology to deliver ocean education into classrooms, homes and communities and makes learning accessible and engaging. It offers a dynamic collection of videos, lesson plans and interactive games, grounded in the seven Ocean Literacy Principles.
The Repository enables young people to gain insights and create connections between local wisdom, ocean science and global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable livelihoods, and put their knowledge into practice to address such challenges.
Chris Hines, Director of Education for Pristine Seas, shared that the Summit and the resulting Repository were the first step towards achieving a key objective: to create a regional Ocean Science curriculum that can be adapted to suit the needs of countries and students throughout the region.
“Through learning about Ocean Science, young people in the region will better understand how to protect their marine ecosystems and will be inspired to become leaders in marine conservation action in their countries.”
Youth as co-creators: From users to contributors
The Ocean Literacy Resource Repository exemplifies what cocreated education looks like in practice. This resource is a compilation of ocean-related learning materials contributed by educators across the Pacific region and by organizations worldwide. Moreover, the Repository acknowledges youth not just as consumers of information but as active participants in teaching and learning. The Repository is envisioned as a means of inspiring and encouraging youth to create and share their own learning resources and exchange knowledge and ideas within their communities and across the region.
Education for empowerment and sustainability
Looking forward, SPC will continue its engagement with the countries of the region to ensure our education systems reflect Pacific perspectives and meet local needs and aspirations. This work will include supporting youth to meaningfully engage in co-creating their learning, with the goal of empowering them to develop solutions to challenges and nurture sustainable development in the region, ensuring a brighter future for all.
Explore the Repository here: https://eqap.spc.int/ocean-literacy-resources-repository
Learn more about SPC’s work: https://eqap.spc.int/