Over the past two months, about 750 students from schools in Belgium, the United Kingdom and Greece were visited by officials from UN entities as part of the annual #Back2School campaign, marking United Nations Day (24 October).
Organised by the UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), this initiative continues to bring the UN closer to young audiences.
Bringing the UN to the classroom
In 2025, the campaign was launched by UNRIC Director Sherri Aldis, followed by colleagues in Belgium, Greece, and the United Kingdom. In Belgium, the UN Youth Delegate, Nicole Cabezas Loja, joined the presentation: her contribution highlighted the inclusion of youth within the UN.
The campaign also featured a presentation by Veronika Hunt Šafránková, Head of the UN Environment Programme Brussels Office.
Together, the speakers addressed the work of the UN: global cooperation, climate action, biodiversity, tackling pollution, the promotion of human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the role of young people in shaping the future. Students took the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and discuss how they themselves can contribute to a better world.
Reaching young people across Europe
The campaign reached audiences ranging from children as young as four to young adults in their twenties at the following schools and universities:
- University of Athens
- Institut Royal pour Sourds et Aveugles, Brussels
- European School Brussels II
- Brussels Greek School
- British International School of Brussels
- GO! Atheneum Unesco Koekelberg, Brussels
- Betty Layward Primary School, London
Shaping the future
With the 2025 edition, UNRIC reaffirms its commitment to continue engaging young people through campaigns, dialogue, awareness, and action for a better world.
Useful links
See all photos in our Flickr album
More about the 2024 #Back2School campaign