Celebrating International Day of Education: why learning matters more than ever

On 24 January 2026, UNESCO marks the International Day of Education, a global moment to recognise the role education plays in shaping lives, communities and futures. This year’s theme is ‘the power of youth in co-creating education’, highlighting how young people are not just participants in education, but partners in shaping what meaningful learning looks like. At ASDAN, this principle is embedded in everything we do.

Learning is not just about gaining knowledge – it is a skill itself. The ability to reflect, adapt and grow underpins long-term success. That’s why ‘learning’ sits at the heart of ASDAN’s six core skills: learning, communicating, decision-making, thinking, team working, and self-awareness. Together, these skills support learners to engage positively with education and the wider world.

Learning by doing: the ASDAN approach

ASDAN’s educational approach is built on the belief that learning by doing is one of the most effective ways to develop meaningful skills. Rather than focusing on tests and exams to quantity outcomes, ASDAN courses encourage learners to engage in practical challenges, reflect on their experiences and recognise their own progress.

Through this process, learning becomes active rather than passive. Learners are supported to plan tasks, carry them out and review what they have learned, building confidence and ownership along the way. This process helps learners understand how they learn best, an essential step towards independence.

These principles run through all ASDAN courses. Designed to be flexible, accessible and relevant, they allow educators to tailor delivery to meet the needs of their learners.

Developing skills through Short Courses

ASDAN Short Courses provide opportunities for learners to explore subjects that matter to them while developing the six core skills in real-world contexts. Whether learners are working towards personal goals, exploring independence skills or engaging in creative or vocational activities, the focus remains on transferable learning.

Members delivering Short Courses have seen how this approach broadens horizons and builds confidence.

Portishead Youth Centre shared how ASDAN challenges allow learners to experience everyday situations they may not otherwise encounter, from planning shopping trips to visiting farms, helping them to develop practical skills and social confidence. These experiences support learners to make connections between learning and life beyond education, reinforcing learning as an ongoing, evolving skill.

Specialist healthcare provider, the Arcadia Care Group, deliver Short Courses at their residential facilities for young people. A member of their staff reflected on the impact of ASDAN in different settings and how learner-led activities encourage engagement and self-belief:

“Introduce it to your learners and then let them lead their own learning and watch the development. It’s the most incredible tool for holistic development in young people… It sets up young people with not only the skills, but opportunities and connections with the real-life world around them.”

Building on learning with Personal Effectiveness Qualifications

Our recently Personal Effectiveness Qualifications (PEQ) are now open for registrations. By offering a clear progression route from Short Courses and with learning as a foundation, PEQs support learners to apply and evidence their skills across a range of contexts

Designed to grow with the learner, PEQs offer structured recognition at every stage, helping learners to build confidence and celebrate achievement. This progression reflects the spirit of International Day of Education: empowering young people to co-create their learning journeys and take ownership of their development.

Learning as a skill for life

When learners understand learning as a skill, they are better equipped to face new challenges, reflect on feedback and adapt to change. These capabilities are essential not just in education, but in employment, training and everyday life. By embedding learning within a wider framework of core skills, ASDAN supports young people to become confident, capable and resilient individuals.

Take the next step with ASDAN

As we celebrate the International Day of Education, we invite educators and organisations to consider how learner-led, skills-based education can support positive outcomes for their cohorts.

If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of delivering ASDAN, we’d love to hear from you. Complete our expression of interest form to start a conversation with one of our ASDAN experts. They can talk you through how our programmes and qualifications could work in your setting.

Together, we can help learners not just access education – but shape it.