The Continental Education Conference 2024, under the theme: “Educate and skill Africa for the 21st century,” holds from December 9 to 11, 2024, at the Convention Center (Palais des Congrès), Nouakchott in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Organised by the Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI of the African Union Commission (AUC)) in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and hosted by the Mauritanian Government, the Continental Education Conference aims to foster a robust education system capable of equipping African learners with the skills and knowledge needed for the 21st century, and evaluate the implementation by the African Union (AU) member states and commitments to transform education in Africa, with highly successful education models and sustainable solutions to enhance this sector. The conference also addresses key areas such as curriculum reform, teacher development, responsive learning outcome assessment, promoting impactful practices at scale, emergency-and crisis resilient education systems, leveraging digital technologies for education, inclusive education and equity, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and 21st-century skills, vocational and technical education, and financing and governance for educational transformation.

During the conference, participants exchange views on digital integration, inclusive education, and ways of reaching the most marginalized, emergency-and crisis-affected children. The promotion of gender-responsive and inclusive education strategies, ensuring equal access and opportunities for all learners, strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education quality and participation, and enhancing vocational and technical education, also featured in the discussions.



Participants at the conference will be updated on the following: a comprehensive status of implementation of AU member states' commitments, a compendium of good practices, strengthened partnerships among African countries, regional bodies, and global partners, and a consensus on sustainable financing strategies for education in Africa. This could include triggering a new global fund for education in Africa, effective private sector engagement, and other innovative financing mechanisms for education, among others.

This collaborative platform will play a pivotal role in shaping policies, promoting equity, and building resilient educational systems across the continent.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN | Information and Communications Directorate | E- mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)