The UNESCO Master Class against Racism and Discrimination, 1 april 2026

Initiated by UNESCO in 2019 as an global “training for trainers” initiative, the Master Class Series against Racism and Discriminations aims to empower the youth, and especially students, to confront racism, discrimination, and exclusion and aims to teach them how to dismantle the foundations and mechanics of racism and discriminations by equipping them with tools to become advocates and changemakers in their schools, communities, and beyond. The Master Classes try to do this through expert insights, interactive workshops, and the lived experiences of advocates and artists

Since its inception, the UNESCO Master Class Series has trained more than 18,000 young champions worldwide, inspiring 97% of participants to promote greater tolerance and encouraging 75% of them to take concrete action in their schools to combat discrimination and inequalities.

The Master Class Series has the following goals:

• To provide young individuals with the knowledge and resources to grasp the principles and research-based evidence to interpret racist mindsets and conduct;
• To present motivating examples to prepare young individuals to engage at their capacity in combating racism and discriminations;
• To motivate decision-makers, at the international, national, and community levels, to advance collaborative initiatives in combating racism and discrimination.

The Master Classes function as discussion platforms and collaborative learning environments among the youth attendees, the specialists and facilitators, and the guest speakers, allowing for an open and honest conversation about the sensitive issues that undermine the societal and ethical foundations in communities.

Adopting a human rights-centred framework, the sessions explore multiple subjects connected to inclusion and non-discrimination, such as racial discrimination, gender-based inequality, rights of indigenous peoples, and discrimination against persons with disabilities, among others, and serve as a springboard enabling young people to commit to defending justice and equality throughout their lives.

The first appointment of this year will be on the 1st of April 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This year’s edition will include a special segment dedicated to showcasing projects led by Alumni. It will be an opportunity to highlight their creativity, achievements and good practices, inspiring peers around the world to follow their example.