4 September 2015: The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Goals campaign have launched the ‘World’s Largest Lesson,’ an initiative to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among children in over 100 countries. The Initiative will also engage children in efforts to achieve the SDGs and encourage them to act as drivers of change in their communities.

The World’s Largest Lesson will take place around the world during the week of 28 September 2015, with government leaders and ministers participating in the lessons, which will aim to include 500 million girls and boys between the ages of 8 and 14. Teachers can select the themes most applicable for their students.

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake explained, “Young people can help achieve the global goals by holding their leaders accountable for the promises they are making – and by holding themselves accountable for building a better future for everyone.”

“By making the Global Goals famous we can give them the best chance of working around the world – and help make us the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation in history to end injustice and inequality and the last generation to be threatened by climate change,” said Richard Curtis, founder of the Global Goals campaign.

Public figures and leaders ranging from Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan to PLAN International global ambassador Freida Pinto are participating in the World’s Largest Lesson, and several have created lesson materials. These lessons include: introductions by Serena Williams, Kolo Touré, Neymar and Dani Alves; an animated film by Aardman and author and education expert Sir Ken Robinson; and a downloadable comic book by Josh Elder, Karl Kesel and Grace Allison.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), TES global and Berlitz helped to create the World’s Largest Lesson, which is supported by the Global Goals campaign founding partners Aviva, Getty Images, Pearson, Standard Chartered and Unilever. [Joint Press Release] [Global Goals Campaign] [World’s Largest Lesson Website, Including Teacher’s Guide]