In 2026, the World Futures Day 2026 event at UNESCO HQ will focus on the ‘Futures of Inequalities’. How are inequalities in education, the sciences, culture, and information changing, and what new inequalities are emerging? Who will these inequalities affect the most and how can we tackle them together? What do we need to know about inequalities to inform policies to address them?
In a world of rapid technological, environmental and geopolitical transformations, and changing configurations of resources, knowledge and power, what should be done to prevent inequalities widening and to advance social, economic, environmental – and epistemic – justice?
Anticipating how inequalities could deepen and how they might be reduced is not only a development imperative, but also a moral imperative, considering the consequences of today’s policy choices for future generations.
We have witnessed great advances in some areas, amidst stalled or reversed progress in others. This theme therefore calls not only for new ambitions, but for rethinking how we understand and navigate change when setting priorities for the future and promoting international cooperation for peace and sustainable development.
The 2026 edition of World Futures Day will leverage interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise to analyse the dynamics of intersecting inequalities, and identify risks and opportunities, to inform policy discussions and initiatives to address inequalities and to achieve more inclusive and equitable outcomes.
Co-convened by the Sciences and Education Sectors, with parallel sessions organized by UNESCO’s Programme Sectors in collaboration with UNESCO Chairs, UNITWIN Networks and other partners, the event will generate ideas to inform global dialogue on the futures of inequalities, and actions to be taken at all levels.
As the 2030 Agenda horizon nears, this World Futures Day will provide an important opportunity to contribute to shaping more inclusive, sustainable and peaceful futures, based on the principle of "leaving no one behind".