Research to Empower (ReTE) Endorsed by UNESCO as a Global Leader in Research Education

On 26 Feb. 2025, Research to Empower (ReTE), the world’s first student-led initiative dedicated to making research education free, accessible, and engaging for K-12 students, has been officially endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Programme of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD, 2024–2033). This prestigious recognition places ReTE among an elite cohort of five globally endorsed programs.

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, outlining 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges. Recognizing the critical role of science in achieving these goals, the UN General Assembly declared 2024 to 2033 as the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) in August 2023. This initiative seeks to leverage all branches of science—including basic sciences, applied sciences, and social and human sciences—to advance social, economic, and environmental sustainability worldwide.

As part of this effort, UNESCO was tasked with coordinating global collaboration, inviting organizations worldwide to contribute to the Decade’s objectives. In July 2024, ReTE formally submitted its proposal, "Building Capacity and Youth Networks for Bridging Gaps to the Access of Basic Science and Research" to UNESCO. After an eight-month comprehensive review, ReTE was officially endorsed as a recognized IDSSD programme.