UNESCO, UNICEF and ITU publish Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have published a Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms, which sets out principles to guide governments in developing and governing digital learning systems.

The Charter states that education is a human right and a public good, and emphasises that digital learning platforms should support public education systems rather than replace in-person schooling. It describes such platforms as components of broader education systems that bring together content, technology, and users to support teaching and learning.

According to the Charter, governments are encouraged to establish and maintain public digital learning platforms as part of the national education infrastructure. The document notes that, in many contexts, the absence or limited quality of such platforms has led to increased reliance on private-sector solutions, which may not always align with public education objectives.

The Charter outlines seven principles for public digital learning platforms, covering areas including:

• public governance and financing, with oversight by public authorities;
• inclusion, including accessibility, multilingual support, and cultural relevance;
• pedagogical design, with a focus on teacher-led learning;
• integration with education systems and public digital infrastructure;
• open standards and interoperability;
• user-focused development based on educational needs;
• trustworthiness, including data protection, safety, and reliability.

The document also highlights the importance of data governance, stating that data generated through such platforms should remain under public control and be managed in accordance with applicable laws, with safeguards for privacy and security.

The Charter was developed under the UNESCO–UNICEF Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative, with input from governments and international organisations. It was released on the occasion of the International Day of Digital Learning 2026.

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