Tulani Ngwenya
Addis Ababa – On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, the African Union Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) department commemorated the International Day of Education under the theme ‘Learning for Lasting Peace’. The event underscored the pivotal role of education in fostering sustainable development, promoting peace, and empowering individuals to shape a better future.
With a commitment to bolstering education systems across the continent, the African Union’s theme for 2024 aims to build resilient frameworks for inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa. The Commissioner for ESTI, H.E. Prof. Mohamed Belhocine, emphasised the significance of investing in education for lasting peace, envisioning a future where every African child can flourish in a world free from conflict.
In alignment with this mission, Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, a UNESCO representative to the AU, announced UNESCO’s dedication of the International Day of Education to countering hate speech, which has surged in recent years, fueled by social media, and threatened societal cohesion.
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Dr. Laila Gad, UNICEF representative to the AU, emphasised education as a cornerstone for peace, urging continued prioritisation of education on the political agenda. Dr. Luis Benveniste, World Bank Global Director, highlighted the crucial role of funding in advancing educational initiatives.
Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director of GIZ AU, commended the AU’s dedication to making 2024 the year of education on the continent, affirming Germany’s support in implementing vocational training programmes to equip youth with skills for the evolving job market.
The African Union’s efforts align with Agenda 2063—The Africa We Want—and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, emphasising quality education for all. The organisation calls for collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector to create conducive learning environments, invest in teacher training, and adopt innovative education delivery methods.
As part of the celebration, esteemed partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, UNESCO IICBA, SAVE THE CHILDREN, and WORLD VISION delivered presentations, showcasing their commitment to advancing education in Africa.
Happy International Day of Education!
