As the world faces its mid-term assessment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it becomes increasingly apparent that Africa is facing significant challenges in meeting these targets, particularly concerning education and skills development. The United Nations’ recent report indicates a troubling reality: only 12% of the 17 SDGs are on track for achievement by 2030. This urgency is compounded by projections of Africa’s population reaching 2.5 billion by 2050, with a substantial portion being the youth.
Africa’s demographic dividend, with its burgeoning youth population, should theoretically fuel socio-economic growth. However, the Continent grapples with staggering figures: around 72 million young Africans are neither employed nor in education or training, with two-thirds being young women. Moreover, nearly 13 million youths are unemployed, while millions more face obstacles in securing meaningful employment due to inadequate skills training and education.
Recognizing this pressing issue, the ESDEV Foundation Africa, a Pan-African Non-Governmental organization, has initiated a regional education and skills dialogue – Africa Regional Conference on Education and Skills Development (ARC-EDS). The maiden edition which focuses on TVET and Entrepreneurship is advancing SDG4.3 and 4.4 targets. This edition is being organized in collaboration with the Accra Technical University. The annual event aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to address the critical gaps in education and skills development hindering Africa’s youth from realizing their potential.
The conference sets out several objectives:
Finding Solutions: Identifying strategies to combat unemployment and enhance skills development for youth employability and entrepreneurship.
Raising Awareness: Highlighting the pivotal role of a skilled youth population in driving Africa’s socio-economic progress and sustainable development.
Promoting TVET: Advocating for Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a pathway to employment and entrepreneurship.
Encouraging Collaboration: Fostering dialogue among governments, youth, and stakeholders to accelerate progress towards SDG 4.3 and 4.4 targets.
The target audience encompasses a wide spectrum, from policymakers to educators, youth groups, and trade unions, emphasizing the need for multi-sectoral engagement to tackle this multifaceted issue.
The anticipated outcomes include a wealth of innovative solutions and concrete recommendations that can inform policy interventions and programmatic actions. By harnessing the collective expertise of diverse stakeholders, the Conference seeks to drive tangible progress in addressing Africa’s youth unemployment and skills gap crisis.
Scheduled for June 12, 2024 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Potentials for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation,” the Conference will delve into various discussion areas. These include redefining education frameworks, leveraging technology for employment, and maximizing the potential of Africa’s youth for sustainable development.
In essence, the Africa Regional Conference on Education and Skills Development represents a crucial step towards unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend. By investing in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, Africa can empower its youth to drive socio-economic transformation, ultimately steering the Continent towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.
For more information on ARC-EDS, visit: www.arc-eds.com