In the closing statement adopted at the end of the 3-day consultation, participants “endorsed the call for accelerated action on Sustainable Development Goal no. 4, which must be underpinned by well-developed and implementable national plans, strategies, adequate financing and a regular monitoring and evaluation of results to ensure that the ambitious undertaking at Incheon would be realized to build more inclusive and peaceful societies.” The statement is also available in French and Portuguese. 

The regional consultation took place on 23-25 November 2015 in Dakar, Senegal. It gathered some 110 participants from 25 countries as well as other actors and stakeholders in education in order to determine how to translate global Education 2030 commitments into practice.

First regional meeting

This consultation was the first regional meeting after the adoption of the Education 2030 Framework for Action on 4 November 2015 at a High-Level Meeting in Paris by representatives of Member States, civil society and other stakeholders. The purpose was to build a common understanding of the new Education 2030 agenda, and to prepare for and support the integration of targets and focus areas into national policy and planning processes within the region.

“It is the beginning of a process, the greater part of the journey is for you to do at the national level and we are here to accompany you,” said Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Dakar when closing the meeting.

The fact that the first Education 2030 consultation was held in the West and Central Africa region reflects UNESCO’s commitment to ensuring equitable expansion of access to effective and relevant learning opportunities in a region marked by on-going humanitarian crises and faced with critical challenges in education.

Practical, technical and professional

The consultation was practical, technical and professional, represented by the Directors of education planning and technical experts from the countries, allowing for exchange with key partners. Discussions and dialogues were open, often passionate and demonstrated a high level of commitment.

Building on the Incheon Declaration and the Education 2030 Framework for Action, participants developed a common understanding of the new 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on education, as well as its corresponding targets.

It also initiated dialogue for the identification of national priorities in the implementation of Education 2030.

Finally, it developed implementation proposals for regional coordination, cooperation and partnerships, as well as monitoring and follow-up mechanisms to support national implementation.

A summary report of the consultation is available.