17 February 2024:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The African Union (AU) today officially launched its 2024 theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” The pre-launch event, held at the AU Headquarters, brought together high-level dignitaries including the AU Chairperson, H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.
This historical initiative marks the first year dedicated to education by the AU, aiming to galvanize member states towards fulfilling the Continental Strategy on Education for Africa (CESA), the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), and Agenda 2063 objectives.
Keynote speakers, including Ethiopia’s President H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, highlighted the urgent need for enhanced access to quality education across Africa. The continent faces the lowest educational attainment levels globally, making this focus crucial to address challenges and equip future generations with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.
The pre-launch event served as a platform to amplify the 2024 Education theme at the highest levels of governance and encourage partners to recommit their support. It gathered key stakeholders including the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C10) on Education, Science, and Technology, UN agencies, NGOs, and representatives from various sectors.
This initiative underscores the strategic importance of education in Africa’s development trajectory. The AU aims to use 2024 to foster in-depth discussions, advocate for increased investments, and formulate effective policies to build resilient education systems for all.
