Education: a human right, a public good and a collective responsibility

Education is more than a basic human right; it is a pillar of social development and global progress. In recognition of its central role, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24 January the International Day of Education to celebrate and promote education as a driving force for peace and sustainable development.

At the core of this vision lies Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Achieving this goal is essential for empowering individuals, fostering growth, and driving innovation at all levels of society.

The transformative power of education goes beyond the individual and community level – it also touches the heart of the corporate world. As the global economy transforms, businesses increasingly rely on quality education to remain competitive, adapt to change and drive innovation, and the impact is being felt in many ways:

Innovation and creativity: An educated workforce brings diverse perspectives and approaches to problem solving, driving innovation and fostering a culture of creativity.

Higher productivity: Access to continuous learning enables employees to develop skills that improve efficiency, streamline processes and increase overall productivity.

Employee retention and satisfaction: Companies that invest in employee training and development demonstrate a commitment to their employees. This attracts top talent, increases loyalty and reduces employee turnover.

Adaptability to change: The pace of change in the modern business landscape, requires a workforce that can adapt to new technologies and market trends. Lifelong learning ensures that employees remain agile and prepared for the future.

Improved workforce skills: Education and training provide organisations with a steady supply of skilled workers equipped with critical thinking skills, up-to-date knowledge and adaptability.

Empowerment, growth and learning are the driving forces behind our mission. In line with SDG 4, Christeyns actively promotes inclusive and lifelong education through its various initiatives:

• Christeyns Academy: Offering employees with mandatory and voluntary trainings providing them opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• CHLOE (Christeyns Learning Online Environment): A digital platform for our employees designed to support continuous learning and development.
• Customer Training: Sharing our knowledge and expertise with our partners to strengthen their capabilities and to support and help them in the safe and efficient use of resources (be it water, energy or products).
• Internships and Apprenticeships: Working with educational institutions to foster and develop the next generation of professionals.
• Community Engagement: Prioritising education through the Christeyns Foundation, empowering communities to grow.

Education is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone. At Christeyns, we take our role very seriously and have made a strong commitment to SDG4 because we truly believe that by promoting lifelong learning, we not only strengthen the workforce, but also build a sustainable, innovative, fairer and more inclusive future.