Friday, 24 January 2025, marked the International Day of Education. News media ran stories on how knowledge and skills help individuals navigate successfully through life. Expanding the scope of four educational initiatives in Europe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is putting this principle into practice.
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We invite people of all ages, genders, races, backgrounds, and abilities to come, learn, and grow. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.“The online self-reliance programme provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduces accessible learning opportunities to individuals today, and new initiatives for self-reliance are rolling out in the coming months.” said Ether Simoncini, the Manager of Education and Employment Services in the Church’s Europe Central Area. These initiatives aim to increase education and employment opportunities for participants.
Why Self-Reliance?
During self-reliance courses taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participants learn how to unlock the door of opportunity, enabling them to move forward into an abundant life and a faithful future in Europe.
According to Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie, "You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.”
Education and self-reliance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are seen as a life-long pursuit that aligns with God’s plan of happiness for His children to learn and develop during this life, making it a religious responsibility as well.
Four Church-Sponsored, Educational Resources
Below are links attached leading to several programmes and initiatives The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created to support education, self-reliance, and lifelong learning:
- Perpetual Education Fund (PEF): Established in 2001, this fund provides loans to help members in developing areas access vocational training or higher education. PEF is currently available in Albania, Hungary, and Spain. Look for more updates on this successful program soon. (link here)
- Benson Scholarship: A scholarship program focused on assisting agricultural students in gaining knowledge and skills to improve their communities. (link on this page)
- EnglishConnect: A program designed to help members and nonmembers learn English in a supportive environment. English proficiency can open doors to education, employment, and missionary service. (link here)
- PathwayConnect and BYU-Pathway Worldwide: An accessible, low-cost educational program that provides certificates, degrees, and foundational learning opportunities. BYU-Pathway Worldwide integrates spiritual learning with secular education, allowing participants to grow in both knowledge and faith. (link here)
Through these resources, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fosters a culture of learning and progression. Members are encouraged not only to value their own education but also to extend educational opportunities to others, reflecting the Savior’s love and mission to "teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19).