The 24th of January of each year was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Education. This day, which concerns us all, is aimed at the celebration of the role of education in building a fairer world, in which peace and development are cornerstones of global wellbeing.
The world of judo, by definition and by essence, is attached to the notion of education. It is enough to remember the words of Jigoro Kano Shihan, who wished through the practice of our sport to develop the body and the mind for the advent of better citizens, to be convinced of this.
Education is at the centre of our concerns at all levels, from early childhood to high-level sport and later with veterans. The numerous IJF programmes, such as Judo for Children, Judo in Schools, Judo for Peace, gender equality, and more, foster the dissemination of the moral code and principles of judo. At all stages of the judo rocket, it is therefore a question of education. This is celebrated every day of the year and highlighted on the occasion of International Education Day.
A lack of education, the absence of quality, inclusiveness and fairness, aw failure to respect the opportunities offered to all, have serious consequences on the development of the world. Thus, achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that leaves millions of children, young people and adults behind, are in the realm of utopia.
The observation is serious. In 2024 there will be 250 million children and young people who will not have access to education around the world. More than 763 million adults are illiterate. Thanks to judo, at every moment we have the capacity to fight the scourge of a lack or absence of education.
Long live education and long live education through judo!