Regional and international organisations
Organisations:
Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
Working Group on Non-Formal Education (WGNFE)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Education for All Global Monitoring Report
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
International Bureau of Education (IBE)
International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
UNICEF
Network for Policy Research Review and Advisory on Education and Training (NORRAG)
Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA)
International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
Education for All - Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI)
Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI)
Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
The Association for the Development of Education in Africa, whose Secretariat is based at the African Development Bank in Tunis, is a partnership network composed of African ministries of education, technical and financial cooperation agencies, education researchers and specialists, and NGOs. It aims to promote the sharing of experiences and successful strategies as well as the development of appropriate, effective and Africa-oriented education policies. ADEA organises biannual meetings attended by more than 600 people. These meetings constitute the largest forum for policy dialogue on education in Africa. ADEA also works with various partners to organise important meetings on key issues. In addition, ADEA coordinates working groups on various topics such as higher education and statistics. The association works closely with the African Union to achieve the goals of the Second Decade for Education in Africa.
The SDC contributes to ADEA’s overall budget, sits on its Steering Committee and is the leading institution for its Working Group on Non-Formal Education.
Documents and further information:
Working Group on Non-Formal Education (WGNFE)
The Working Group on Non-Formal Education is one of the working groups of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). It seeks to promote more holistic views and policies for basic education in Africa by integrating formal education (classic schooling) and non-formal education (alternative education and training methods for children, young people and adults without access to comprehensive basic education). Its work includes: (1) engaging in policy dialogue at the international and regional levels within Africa; (2) supporting the African Union in achieving its objectives for the Second Decade for Education, and collaborating with other strategic institutions; (3) carrying out analytical work (through studies) on different priority topics (e.g. use of African languages in education, holistic basic education systems, financing for non-formal education, and effective alternative approaches); (4) disseminating analytical work and ensuring its use in the technical and policy dialogue; and (5) supporting national groups and networks involved in non-formal education in various African countries. The WGNFE is based in the Association for the Promotion of Non-Formal Education in Burkina Faso and coordinated by Koumba Barry Boly. E-mail: gtenf@fasonet.bf
Documents and further information:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO is a specialised United Nations agency committed to contributing – through education, science, culture and communication – to dialogue among civilisations and to a culture of peace founded on human rights and democracy. UNESCO plays a leading role in the global movement for Education for All and in achieving the six goals for 2015 set at the World Education Forum in Dakar. The Swiss Department for Foreign Affairs (Political Affairs Division V) is responsible for Switzerland’s contribution to UNESCO. In addition, the SDC makes voluntary contributions to UNESCO’s education sector, supporting three of its specialised institutions, the Capacity Building for Education for All Programme and the Education for All Global Monitoring Report.
UNESCO website, UNESCO for education, UNESCO for Education for All
Education for All Global Monitoring Report
The Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report (GMR) aims to monitor the implementation of the six goals set in Dakar at the World Education Forum in 2000 that should be achieved by 2015. The six goals are: (1) develop early-childhood care and education; (2) provide all children with access to free and compulsory primary education; (3) ensure that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met, and provide appropriate learning and life skills; (4) achieve a 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy; (5) eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005 and achieve gender equality by 2015; and (6) improve all aspects of the quality of education.
The GMR provides data on the global situation for all six goals as well as details on a different topic each year.
The SDC makes a financial contribution to the drafting of this report and is a member of the Advisory Board, which is composed of representatives from bilateral and multilateral agencies, the head of UNESCO’s education sector, the heads of various UNESCO institutes, representatives from NGOs and regional networks, and experts.
UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
The Institute for Lifelong Learning is based in Hamburg, Germany. Its mission is to ensure that all forms of education and learning – formal, non-formal and informal – are recognised, valued and accessible and that they meet the demands of individuals and communities throughout the world as well as the major challenges facing humanity (peace and democracy, sustainable development, poverty eradication, etc.). UIL is involved in policy-driven research, capacity building, the formation of networks, and publications, and also provides, upon request, technical services to Member States, non-governmental and civil-society organisations and private-sector entities. UIL works intensively to improve literacy levels and adult and lifelong education, with a particular focus on Africa. It is in charge of organising the International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA), which is held every 12 years. It also plays a leadership role in the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), which is dedicated to achieving the goals of the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012). All of the SDC’s priority countries that run large education programmes (i.e. Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad and Bangladesh) take part in this initiative.
The SDC makes a financial contribution to UIL’s global budget. Furthermore, given the strong link between UIL’s mission and the SDC's education-related priorities, the two institutions work together closely, particularly through ADEA and WGNFE (UIL and SDC are both founding members of WGNFE and sit on its Steering Committee).
UNESCO’s education website, UNESCO’s literacy website, International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA), UNESCO Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE)
UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education (IBE)
In 1929, the International Bureau of Education became the first intergovernmental organisation in the area of education. The organisation has been based in Geneva since it was founded and was run by Jean Piaget, professor of psychology at the University of Geneva, for almost 40 years. Its history is thus closely intertwined with that of Geneva. “The IBE's main mission is to act as UNESCO's centre specialised in contents, methods and structure of education. It builds networks to share expertise on curriculum development in all regions of the world and aims to introduce modern approaches in curriculum design and implementation, improve practical skills and promote informed policy dialogue at national, regional and international levels” (excerpt from the IBE website). The IBE organises the International Conference on Education (ICE), which is held approximately every four years and brings together more than 1’000 people (high-level officials, experts, NGO representatives, etc.) to discuss current issues in the area of education. The last conference was held in 2008 and the theme was Inclusive Education.
Switzerland is a member of the IBE Council, where it is represented by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education. The SDC contributes to the IBE's budget and is also involved, together with the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (Political Affairs Division V), in its governing body.
Documents and further information:
International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
International Institute for Educational Planning was created by UNESCO in 1963 and is based in Paris. It is a training and research centre specialising in educational planning and management. It aims to help UNESCO Member States to improve the quality and effectiveness of education by providing training to strengthen capacities and by carrying out studies in order to find operational solutions. The SDC contributes to IIEP's budget and is a member of the group of donor countries that meet each year to share information and discuss the work of IIEP.
UNESCO’s IIEP website, UNESCO website on training provided by IIEP
Link to receive the IIEP newsletter
UNICEF, founded in 1946, is a UN multilateral institution whose mission and activities focus specifically on the protection and development of children. UNICEF has adopted an approach based on promoting the rights of the child, and it is active in the following areas: education for girls, integrated development in early childhood and the protection of children against violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination. The SDC contributes to UNICEF’s overall budget and supports several of its projects.
UNICEF website, UNICEF and basic education
Network for Policy Research Review and Advice on Education and Training (NORRAG)
NORRAG is an education-related research network that links together representatives from universities, research centres and development agencies. Its aim is to help developing countries make use of the growing potential of education research. It provides research networks in Southern countries with access to information on the aid policies of development agencies. It also regularly publishes policy reviews on education-related research and is a driving force behind research initiatives.
Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA)
The Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa is the only education network in West Africa. It aims to promote African education research in order to have a positive impact on educational practices and policies. The network is made up of several hundred researchers in 14 countries. Its strategic objectives are to build national and regional research and policy-evaluation capacities, improve the quality and relevance of research for practitioners and decision-makers, and disseminate its findings in order to generate public dialogue.
International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
The International Council for Adult Education is a global network created in 1973. It is composed of non-governmental organisations and regional and national networks in more than 75 countries. ICAE’s mission is to promote adult education and lifelong learning as a necessary component that enables people to contribute to their communities. It is an NGO based in Montevideo, Uruguay, and is in formal consultative relations with UNESCO and has consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ICAE is a member of the International Council of the World Social Forum and of the Global Action Week Planning Group organised by the Global Campaign for Education. ICAE: actively participates in organising and monitoring various conferences and other policy dialogue processes in order to raise awareness of the role of adult education; regularly organises a training course for those working in the field of education (IALLA - International Academy for Lifelong Learning Advocacy); sets up networks of activists, practitioners and researchers who are interested in the sector; and has a specialised publication (“Convergence”) and a weekly electronic information bulletin. ICAE is also very actively involved in the organisation of an NGO Forum, which took place before the International Conference on Adult Education in December 2009.
The Swiss Federation for Continuing Education is a member of ICAE. The SDC contributes to the ICAE’s budget and works closely with the organisation, particularly in the adult education sector (and, by extension, in non-formal education in general) in Africa.
Documents and further information:
Education for All – Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI)
The Education for All – Fast Track Initiative is a global partnership to support low-income countries in their efforts to achieve the two education-related Millennium Development Goals (i.e. universal primary education and gender equality) by 2015. It also seeks to implement the principles of the Paris Declaration on aligning and harmonising aid. It is headed by a Board of Directors which represents the various parties involved: (1) four countries whose education development plans have been endorsed by the initiative (Burkina Faso, Moldova, Guyana and Mozambique); (2) six donor countries that provide financial support for the initiative (Australia, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK); (3) four multilateral agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank and the European Commission); and (4) three civil society organisations (two members of the Global Campaign for Education, and the World Economic Forum’s Education Initiative). The Chair of the Board of Directors is independent (currently Carol Bellamy, former Executive Director of UNICEF). The SDC contributes to the Catalytic Fund, which aims to provide additional funding to help FTI-endorsed countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It is also a member of the Catalytic Fund Committee. The SDC is a member of the FTI global partnership and therefore participates in the general steering and monitoring of the FTI.
Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI)
In 2004, the SDC was involved in the launch of the Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to advise governments so that they can harness the potential of new information and communication technology (ICT), particularly in education. The initiative is designed to develop complementary, innovative solutions in the areas of teacher training, teaching materials and access to information and education.
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