UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Education ministers and senior officials will gather in London for the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (22CCEM) meeting, scheduled from May 16-17, 2024. The objective of this assembly is to strategize on ways to empower the vast populace of 2.6 billion Commonwealth citizens, ensuring that learning opportunities are both inclusive and equitable, catering to diverse skill levels and life stages.
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Taking place at Marlborough House, government ministers and senior officials will engage in discussions surrounding the challenges posed by uncertainties in education financing. Additionally, they will explore potential partnerships and deliberate on commitments and reforms necessary to propel the education sector forward. The aim is to evaluate the current status of education while charting a course towards accelerated progress aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4.
At the 22CCEM summit, ministers will delve into the strategic measures required to tackle educational disparities, particularly among marginalized groups such as youth, women, individuals with disabilities, and those grappling with poverty. Encouragingly, recent endeavors seem to be yielding positive outcomes. Accordingly, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Global Youth Development Index Update Report 2023 indicates that more than two-thirds of countries worldwide exhibited improvement.
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Under the theme ‘Driving Resilience, Equity, and Skills for an Inclusive Future’, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, underscored the importance of leveraging technology to eliminate barriers hindering access to education and foster lifelong learning. She emphasized the transformative potential of technology, urging bold action and ambition to empower Commonwealth citizens in an increasingly digital era.
Secretary-General Scotland also mentioned the need to reimagine education to bolster youth employability and empowerment, stressing that education is a lifelong pursuit that extends beyond youth. This sentiment aligns with the responsibility shared among Commonwealth nations to cultivate and endorse opportunities for continuous learning. She stated, “The sheer scale of what can be accomplished if we harness technology has changed the game for policymakers, educators and learners. For us to meaningfully empower Commonwealth citizens, in an increasingly digital world, it requires us to be bold in our actions and ambitions”. She added, “We need to rethink education to support youth employability and empowerment if we are to deliver on promises made to 1.6 billion young people of the Commonwealth. We should also recognise that education does not end with young people. We share a responsibility to create and promote opportunities for lifelong learning”.
The forthcoming 22CCEM meeting, presided over by Dr Ezekiel Machogu EGH, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, aligns with the themes of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. Both events underscore the Commonwealth’s dedication to collective action aimed at fostering resilience, sustainability, and a prosperous future for generations to come. In alignment with the Commonwealth Year of Youth, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi will grace the event, engaging with delegates. Satyarthi, renowned for his relentless advocacy against child and youth oppression, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. His participation underscores his commitment to advancing youth welfare across the Commonwealth.
Furthermore, distinguished speakers from UNESCO, the World Bank, the Commonwealth of Learning, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and regional bodies such as the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) will address the delegates, enriching discussions with diverse perspectives. Preceding the 22CCEM, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) vice-chancellors summit will host strategic policy deliberations. Accordingly, outcomes from these discussions, facilitated by the newly formed ACU-led Commonwealth Higher Education Taskforce, will feed into the subsequent 22CCEM meeting. Professor Colin Riordan, Secretary-General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts transcending national boundaries to ensure inclusive, quality higher education. He emphasized the pivotal role universities play in addressing global challenges through research, teaching, and community engagement.
During the meeting, the Secretary-General will provide updates on various initiatives and work programs undertaken by the Commonwealth Secretariat to support member countries. Major initiatives include the Global Youth Development Index Update Report 2023; the Commonwealth Educational Leadership Handbook; the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Toolkit (TVET); and the Commonwealth AI Academy.
Furthermore, the event page for 22CCEM offers comprehensive details on the meeting and available resources for policymakers and educators. Through policy advocacy, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships, the Commonwealth Secretariat remains committed to enhancing education systems and policies across the Commonwealth.
