Organizer: Ministry of Education, Kenya / Commonwealth Secretariat

Topic: 21CCEM

Title: Strengthening Synergies between the 21CCEM Outcomes & ADEA Triennale

Date: Wednesday, 19th October 2022

Time: 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM Mauritius time (GMT+4)

Venue: Le Méridien Île Maurice

Storyline:  This side event will focus on the 21st Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers Statement. The 21st Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers (21CCEM) was held in April 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya under the theme “Rethinking Education for Innovation, Growth and Sustainability post-Covid-19”. The 21CCEM reaffirmed the fundamental role of education for inclusive economic growth, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and in responding to major challenges such as financial crisis, climate change, pandemics and systemic shocks. The 2022 ADEA Triennale focuses on critical themes that transform Africa’s education systems for sustainable social and economic development. The Triennale is structured around Africa’s key priorities of foundational learning, the impact of COVID-19 on educational systems in terms of policy and practice responses, Technical and Vocational Skills Development and Higher Education, as well as gender, equity, inclusion and climate change. The 21CCEM Ministerial Statement underlined these key priorities as well as persistent challenges of rethinking education delivery towards equity, equality, human dignity, social inclusion and wellbeing. The 2022 ADEA Triennale provides a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange among countries with similar challenges. It is therefore a unique opportunity to apprise stakeholders of the Africa region on the outcomes of the 21CCEM and discuss the way forward; as well as explore synergies with ADEA beyond the Triennale including joint engagement through its Inter-Country Quality Nodes.

Objectives:  The purpose of the session, rooted in the necessity to address the Sustainable Development Goals in particular and the 2030 Agenda, is to discuss key educational issues highlighted at the 21CCEM and to identify priority areas to further knowledge sharing and inform policies and programmes. To achieve the 2030 Agenda and implement the recommendations of the 21CCEM, it is critical to strengthen and accelerate synergies between them. The session aims to build a foundation for synergistic actions that align with education and SDG processes and stimulate action by stakeholders at regional and national levels. The session will explore the setting up of working groups around key thematic areas to enhance action in the Africa region, in a context of global engagement to address common threats and challenges. The following are the session’s specific objectives:

  • Present and examine key recommendations of the 21CCEM.
  • Identify synergies with ADEA, explore ways through which the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals become an intrinsic part of joint efforts in the countdown towards 2030.
  • Discuss possible priority areas to be organised in thematic working groups to effectively collaborate on educational issues, with specific focus on processes that lead to concrete actions.

Expected outcome:  The session will create the foundation for future working groups in order to discuss current research, good practices and possible approaches in fulfilment of SDG4 and the 2030 Agenda.

Chairperson: Hon. Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, G.C.S.K, Vice Prime Minister & Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mauritius

Moderator: Mr. Darius Mogaka Ogutu, Director, University Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya (TBC)

Rapporteur: Dr Chaya Surajbali-Bissoonauth, Administrator, Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Mauritius

Panellists: 

  • Mr. Shem Bodo, Senior Programs Officer, ADEA
  • Ms Maya Soonarane, Director of Strategic Planning and International Relations, Ministry of Education of Mauritius /ICQN-ECD Coordinator
  • Ms Beth Button, Director of Strategic Communications, Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
  • Mr. Joshua Mwangi, Director, Policy, Partnerships and EAC, Ministry of Education, Kenya