March 30, 2022 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia): The 3rd Conference of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ministers in Charge of Education, today, endorsed the Communiqué of the Djibouti Declaration on Education for Refugee, Returnees and Host Communities.
The ministerial conference was presided over by His Excellency Prof. Berhanu Nega, Minister of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the presence of His Excellency Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, and Chaired bySudan, with representatives from Germany and UNHCR at the high table.
In his opening remarks, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD highlighted that it is time our people stopped moving to escape armed engagements and started moving in search of intellectual enlightenment.
“I call upon all our partners of goodwill to work with us in this regard, by harnessing the power of education to strengthen the connection and relations across Member States as well as communities affected by conflict and displacement with the societies that host them,” Dr. Workneh said.
The Executive Secretary also expressed his sincere appreciation to IGAD partners for their continued financial and technical support, notably, the Government of Germany through GIZ, Education Cannot Wait, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHCR, and the EU.
Prof. Berhanu Nega, Minister of Education, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in his opening remarks stated that the government of Ethiopia stands ready to share experience with the member states building on commitment to ensure access and quality of education to Refugees, Returnees, IDPs and Host Communities.
“The deliberations and outcomes of this conference will inform and guide our engagement for the next few years based on the proposed multiyear costed plan of Action,” the minister added.
Representatives of the diplomatic community and partner agencies of IGAD such as Education Cannot Wait, GIZ, UNCHR, and UNESCO attended the meeting and gave remarks.
The Meeting was attended by all core task force members (GIZ, EU, UNHCR, UNESCO, ECW and UNICEF), the IGAD Development Partners Forum and other partner agencies.
Over the past two days at the steering committee and experts’ meetings respectively, IGAD in collaboration with different partners and stakeholders in education closely worked with member states towards the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration as well as other regional and international commitments.
Ministers from IGAD member states were united in calling for accelerating access to Inclusive and Quality Education for refugees, returnees, IDPs and host communities: Shared responsibilities for better results amidst the COVID 19 Crises pandemic.
Download attached Declaration in English and French below
