What: High-level event on commemorating the AU year of education 2024.

When: 23^rd September 2024, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (EDT)

Where: Permanent Observer Mission of African Union, New York, USA.

Why: Throughout the year, the African Union (AU) has continued to implement activities highlighted on the roadmap for the Theme of the Year 2024. Through strengthening strategic collaboration with relevant education stakeholders, as well as sustained advocacy and engagement the AU has strived to achieve its goal of “Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”

This high-level event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) aims to bring together Head of States, and other key stakeholders to commemorate at its mid-term the Year of Education and discuss promising pathways that will continue to focus on the development and implementation of effective, long-lasting, system-wide transformational strategies for education in Africa.

This high-level event will advance the policy dialogue on education by celebrating the mid-point of the AU Year of Education 2024. By gathering Heads of State, education leaders, and key stakeholders, the event aims to reinforce the critical role of education in achieving Africa’s development goals. It will serve as a platform for discussing strategies to improve education financing, share successful models, and highlight the need for sustained political commitment. The forum will drive forward the agenda of building resilient education systems, ensuring that education remains a priority for inclusive and lifelong learning across the continent.

Who: The Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) Department of the AU Commission in cooperation with Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Objectives:

1. To commemorate at its mid-term the year of education 2024 and strengthen collaboration and partnerships for effective implementation of African education initiatives.
2. To discuss the state of education financing in Africa and facilitate dialogue on prioritization of education in national budgets.
3. To promote high level dialogue on promising models and opportunities, and lessons learned from African countries and partners.
4. To provide a platform for partners to reaffirm their commitment to supporting education in Africa.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Strong commitments to building resilient education systems for inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa to mark the mid-term of the year of education.
2. Strong showcase of political will and increased commitment for financing for education at all levels – from early childhood, through foundational and lifelong learning.
3. Highlight promising models and opportunities in education in Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org, Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)
2. Hiba Mohamed |Advocacy Officer| Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: hibae@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3. Maqhawe Freedom Thwala |Digital Communications Officer | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: ThwalaM@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
4. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org