Today, once again, we celebrate International Education Day, an occasion to reflect on the transformative power of education and its fundamental role in the lives of young people, especially those from under-resourced backgrounds. Education not only opens doors to job opportunities, but also fosters essential values such as discipline, teamwork and perseverance. These same values are fundamental in the field of sports, where every effort counts and every goal achieved is a testament to personal commitment.
In a world where more than 260 million children and adolescents are out of school, according to recent UNESCO data, it is crucial to recognize that education is a basic human right. For young people in disadvantaged situations, accessing a quality education can be a monumental challenge.
In recent years, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence has opened up new ways to address these challenges. On a day like today, we should heed the words of Ms. Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO: "AI offers great opportunities for education, provided that its implementation in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them. It must become a tool at the service of teachers and learners, with the primary objective of promoting their autonomy and well-being."
This statement also leads us to ask how AI will be accessible and how it will become a 'tool' for all. We must all agree that for AI to be a tool at the service of learners, they must first have the opportunity to access it and, second, the possibility to learn how to use it properly. Both of these aspects represent a challenge for underserved communities, which may have difficulty acquiring the right devices or affording the support necessary for their students to benefit from this technology.
In addition, using AI requires a solid general knowledge and the self-confidence not to be overwhelmed by its reach. Organizations such as ROWE, which support children at risk of social exclusion, play a key role in ensuring that they have access to a solid and empowering education, with access to technological resources. We must not forget that this is not a minor problem; according to Eurostat, "in 2023, 24.8% of children under 18 in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion", and focusing on Spain, the figures are even more dramatic: the percentage of children under 18 at risk of poverty or social exclusion rises to 34.5%. How will they have a chance in an increasingly demanding world where the use of AI will become a necessity?
SO, if on a day like today, the International Day of Education, you are wondering how you could significantly contribute for low-income communities’ children to overcome all the challenges linked to AI, don’t think about it twice and support us. Row for an education with us, make your contribution HERE.
#Azoulay #UNESCO
*See UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-dedicates-international-day-education-2025-artificial-intelligence
*See EUROSTAT: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Children_at_risk_of_poverty_or_social_exclusion