The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing equitable education and amplifying youth voices on the global stage as its Chairperson, Joshua Opey, anchored the High-Level Launch of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 25th March 2026.
The launch convened policymakers, development partners, education advocates and global stakeholders to examine the findings of the 2026 GEM Report, which focuses on access and equity in education. The report serves as a timely reminder that while progress has been made, millions of children and young people continue to face barriers that deny them equal opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
Addressing participants at the event, Chairperson Joshua Opey reflected on his own educational journey, illustrating the transformative power of education in shaping lives and expanding opportunities. His story underscored the reality that access to quality education remains one of the strongest determinants of a young person’s future.
“Education is a leveller, and that is what has given me the opportunity to be in this room today,” he remarked, emphasising how education has the power to break cycles of inequality and create pathways for leadership, innovation and social mobility.
Calling for renewed global action, the Chairperson stressed that education is not merely a social investment but a catalyst for sustainable development.
“Education is the proven way to guarantee that young people become economic pillars for sustainable development.” – Joshua Opey, CYC Chairperson
He further urged governments, development partners and education stakeholders to look beyond the statistics presented in the report and recognise the human stories behind the data.
“The data from the report represents young people whose futures are at stake, and urgent action is needed.” – Joshua Opey, CYC Chairperson
Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility, he concluded with a call for stronger partnerships and sustained commitment to ensuring that no child or young person is left behind.
“We need to strengthen efforts to ensure that all children globally have equitable access to education.” – Joshua Opey, CYC Chairperson
The Commonwealth Youth Council believes that equitable access to quality education is fundamental to empowering young people to participate meaningfully in society, contribute to economic growth and drive sustainable development across the Commonwealth and beyond.
As the youth voice of the Commonwealth, CYC remains committed to championing policies and initiatives that place young people at the centre of education reform and decision-making. The Council will continue to work alongside governments, international organisations and development partners to advocate for inclusive education systems that unlock the full potential of every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The launch of the 2026 GEM Report reinforces a shared global responsibility to transform commitments into action and ensure that every young person has the opportunity to access quality education, realise their aspirations and contribute to building more equitable and resilient societies.
You can access the launch resources, including a recording of the entire day’s event and the full report here
Written by:
Daniel Amanor
Member – Chairperson’s Cabinet, CYC
