Background

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Ms. Farida Shaheed, will conduct an official country visit to the United States of America from 29 April to 10 May 2024, at the invitation of the Government.

Focus

The visit will focus on academic freedom and safety at all levels of education and access to public education from kindergarten to 12th grade without discrimination, together with other issues which may arise, taking into consideration information received from different stakeholders.

Objectives

The visit will address good practices as well as challenges regarding the implementation of the right to quality, equitable and inclusive lifelong education for all in the United States of America.

During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will hold meetings with representatives of Federal and State governments, public institutions, international organizations, civil society, non-governmental organizations, academics, teachers and other educational workers, as well as students and parents.

At the end of the visit the Special Rapporteur will host a press conference to share her preliminary findings with the public. The time and the venue of the press conference will be shared at a later date.

The expert will present her report on the visit to the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2025. The report will include recommendations to support the efforts of the Government and other stakeholders in realizing the right to education.

Learn more about the Special Rapporteur

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

In preparation of the visit, the Special Rapporteur would be grateful to receive from all interested stakeholders:

• Information and suggestions on the issues of academic freedom and safety at all levels of education and access to public education from kindergarten to 12th grade without discrimination that warrant the Special Rapporteur's attention, in terms of both good practices and possible challenges at all levels of education.
• Recommendations and information on places to visit related to the issues above throughout the country, including specific educational institutions.
• Recommendations and information on government officials, public institutions, international organizations, civil society, non-governmental organizations, academics, teachers and other educational workers to meet in the different regions.

How inputs will be used?

All inputs will be treated confidentially by the Special Rapporteur and for the purpose of preparing the county visit and/or the report to the Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur greatly appreciates the effort that goes into making such contributions and looks forward to reading the submissions.