The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) has successfully concluded a three-day conference which brought together the global civil society constituencies from Africa, Middle East, Asia and Pacific, Europe and North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, International NGOs constituency and Youth and Students constituency which are united for the goal – to reignite the global movement for education. The 7th World Assembly of this 20-year-old global education movement was held in Boksburg’s Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, South Africa and was officially opened by the Minister of Basic Education of the host nation HE. Madam Angie Motshekga who was also the acting the President of South Africa, HE. Cyril Ramaphosa.
Other important global figures including the Deputy Secretary General madam Amina J. Mohamed, the Global Partnership for Education Interim CEO Charles North, Ms. Stephania Giannini UNESCO Director, Dr. Leonardo Garnier – the Special Advisor to the UNSG for Transforming Education Summit and the President of the GCE Mr. Rafat Sabah and many other officials addressed the audience.
“The Future of Education is Re-Imagined” was the theme of the conference. However, critical topics were elaborately discussed in policy forums over the course of three days including (1) Transforming Public Education Systems, (2) Decolonizing Education Financing and Aid to Education, (3) Gender, Inclusion, and Intersectionality (4) Intergenerational Action – Mechanisms towards integrating youth and students into the GCE governance and advocacy at the national, regional, and global level structures. The assembly also reviewed, made amendments, and endorsed the key GCE governance, management, and strategic issues such as the constitution, the 2023-2027 global strategy and the financial report of the past four years. 3 policy motions regarding the global advocacy were also endorsed. The GCE constituencies elected their board members, and the president was re-elected to Rafat Sabah.
This means a lot of Somalia education coalitions and Puntnefa particularly. It contributes to our advocacy efforts at the national and local level as it provides comprehensive framework for engagement and capacity building as well as strong back up, partnerships and networking. PUNTNEFA also signed project cooperation agreement with the GCE prior to this assembly to undertake Youth and Students led Advocacy on Inclusive Education – a project which will be known as “the Barbaar-kaab Project” in Somali language will be expected to strengthen partnerships and participation of youth and students on inclusive education advocacy by improving the capacity of youth/student organizations/networks to engage in policy dialogue and to support mutual accountability through effective awareness raising theatre performance platforms and evidence-based research and representation in international forums.
PUNTNEFA finally advances its utmost congratulations to the new board and the re-elected president Mr. Rafat Sabah. It commends the good work of the GCE Secretariat led by the Global Coordinator Mr. Grant Kasowanjete for their effectiveness in organizing and successfully conducting the 7th World Assembly.
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