November 6, 2021 (November 6, 2021): The intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened High-Level Regional Experts the Meeting on the Implementation of the Djibouti Declaration on Education for Refugee, Returnees and Host Communities in Djibouti.
In his opening remarks, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu the Executive Secretary of IGAD noted that IGAD has supported member states to develop their costed national education response plans for the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration and also developed a comprehensive regional education policy framework and a regional strategy for technical vocational education and training.
The Executive Secretary also informed the gathering that IGAD has launched a scholarship program aimed largely at benefiting students from refugees, returnees and disadvantaged host communities and a regional teacher training program,
“we are planning to expand both the scope and scale of this project to increase the coverage and diversity of skills, which will be considered and adopted in this conference and this will allow us to move ahead with accelerated implementation of the Declaration.” Dr Workneh said.
The Executive secretary also express 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.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Republic of Djibouti, Mohamed Mahyoub informed the conference that the Republic of Djibouti is firmly committed to the full inclusion of refugee schools in the national education system.
“For the past four years, Djibouti has been keen to broaden the horizons of hope for many children and young refugees and returnees.” Mr Mohamed Mahyoub said.
The overall objective of the four day IGAD High-Level Regional Experts meetings is to ensure synergy between education, skills development and youth employment on refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities in the IGAD region and to pave the way for the ministerial meeting
Representatives of diplomatic community and partner agencies of IGAD such as Education Cannot Wait, GIZ, UNCHR, UNESCO attended the meeting and gave remarks.
The IGAD Secretariat Head and social development division head, Ms. Fathia Alwan and Dr. Kebede Kasa Coordinator of education program presented overview of the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration (DD) and the Addis Ababa Call for Action and Objectives of the Conference
Plenary Discussion also conducted by IGAD High-Level Regional Experts (Djibouti, Ethiopia. Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda) report on the Status of Implementation of the Djibouti Declaration and Costed National Response Plans.
The four -day event will bring together high level experts responsible for Inclusive Education, Scholarship for Refugees, Regional Qualifications Framework network and Lessons from the Teacher Training Program within the IGAD region.
The IGAD High-Level Regional Experts Meeting is expected to come up with:
- Clear understanding of the pace/state of implementation of the Djibouti Declaration
- Adoption of plans/directives for the next three years (2021-2025)
- Concrete commitment of partners to support the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration and its plan of action;
