Pan-African Parliament Hosts Workshop on AU Theme for 2024

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on June 26, 2024 held a pivotal workshop at the precincts of the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, to delve into the African Union (AU) Theme for 2024: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive Lifelong Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa.” This event addressed the pressing educational challenges faced by the continent and explored strategies to enhance education systems in Africa.

Workshop Agenda: The day-long workshop was kicked off by welcome remarks by Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Parliament; and opening remarks by H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, President of the PAP​

Hon. Koudio Kouakuo Bertin, Chairperson of the PAP’s Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism, and Human Resources, outlined the objectives and intended outcomes of the workshop. Mr. Chigozie Emmanuel Okoronkwo, Policy Officer, Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) spoke on the topic: Analyzing The AU Theme for the Year2024, Continental Education Strategy for Africa, SDG 2030, and the AU Agenda 2063 and the Parliamentarian’s role in advancing its Agenda. This was followed by panel discussions.

The workshop featured two main panel discussions focusing on different aspects of the AU theme:

Innovative Strategies for Building Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Education Systems: This session explored topics such as policy financing, technology, and data analytics in education. Notable speakers include Dr. Justice Alfred Mavedzenge from the University of Cape Town and Dr. Lungowe Matakala, an expert in education policies from the University of Zambia​

Advancing Equitable and Inclusive Education for Sustainable Development in Africa: This panel discussed equity and inclusion in African education, youth empowerment through vocational training, and strengthening educational infrastructure for marginalized groups. Key contributors included Ms. Meriam Elbeddad, a technical expert on the right to education in Morocco, and Dr. Stanley Maphosa from UniZulu, RSA​

Background and Rationale

The background of this workshop underscores significant educational disparities across African countries despite notable progress in access and quality of basic education over the past two decades. Challenges such as low learning achievements, inadequate teacher training, and resource limitations remain persistent were highlighted. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, highlighting the need for resilient and adaptable education systems.

The PAP recognizes that transforming and revitalizing education in Africa is crucial for achieving the targets set by the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), and the AU Agenda 2063. By organizing this workshop, the PAP aimed to foster a renewed collective commitment to addressing the continent's educational crises through collaborative and innovative approaches​

The workshop objectives were to:

• Unpack and popularize the AU theme for 2024.
• Create awareness about AU instruments and decisions related to education in Africa.
• Develop concrete recommendations to guide PAP's involvement in promoting the theme.
• Foster discussions that bridge gaps towards achieving SDG 4 and the education-related targets of CESA.

By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including academic institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector partners, the PAP sought to formulate impactful actions towards transforming education in Africa

Unarguably, the Pan-African Parliament's workshop on the AU Theme for 2024 represents a significant step towards addressing the educational challenges in Africa. Through this event, the PAP sought to drive the agenda for resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education systems that can empower African youth and contribute to the continent's sustainable development.