The expression used by the Queen of Britain of the death year of the 'people's princess' in the nineties well applies as 2020 departs. That was a one-family crisis; this is a people's crisis world-wide. It is the first truly global pandemic for a century, following World War One. Governance seems close to collapse: globally in the UN system; and in weak, near-failing nation-states or under harsh authoritarianism.

This week, the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning will meet to evaluate the progress of our work and provide guidance on the planning of upcoming activities. It is a moment to take stock. As for many, the year 2020 has been a challenging one for us due to the insecurities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But it has also been a year full of opportunities to shape the future of lifelong learning and accelerate progress.