Entry: Bill Guyton
Yesterday, the World Cocoa Foundation and the Africa Society hosted a symposium at Georgetown University in Washington, DC on "Evaluating the Progress of Education in Africa: Different Perspectives". Over 100 education and development experts registered for the session which provided an opportunity to explore some of the obstacles and successes of education programs in Africa.
I was on the first panel, along with Dr. Sarah Moten of USAID/Africa Education Initiative and Dr. Gail Ifshin, Executive Director of the Discovery Channel Global Educational Program. As in other recent programs, I highlighted the new public-private partnership, supported by USAID, World Cocoa Foundation members, and the governments of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Dr. Moten and Dr. Ifshin each discussed the need to “take education to communities” rather than focusing only on urban areas. There is an ever growing need for teacher training programs and investment in resource learning centers in rural areas.
The second panel focused on “Reaching the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of Achieving Universal Primary Education”. The distinguished panelists for this session included Vivian Lowery Derryck/AED, Gene Sperling/Senior Fellow for Economic Policy-Council on Foreign Relatoins, and Yolanda Richardson/CEDPA. They challenged the audience to consider even higher goals of universal secondary education and beyond, and look at creative ways of partnering with NGOs and the private sector, as well as encouraging policy reforms on education.
The final panel discussed “Why is the Development of Education in Africa Globally Important, and whose Responsibility is It”? Leon Collins/Phelps Stokes Fund, Almaz Zwede/Howard University Professor, and Ruth Mufute/Africare, stressed the importance of coordinating educational programs, and making sure that program efforts complement and support the National Education Plans of African countries. A summary of the forum was prepared following the meeting.
For more information on the good work of the Africa Society, I encourage you to visit their website.
Comments (2)
I'm a senior at Georgetown University that attended the panel discussions last week. My studies focus on development, but I'm especially interested in women's issues in Africa, especially girl's education. I wanted to thank you for your participation in the panel discussion -- your remarks were very enlightening and truly represented the World Cocoa Foundation well; I wasn't aware before your presentation of either the Foundation nor of its deep involvement with education in cocoa-growing communities.
The work does seem truly meaningful; as mentioned during the panel, I hope you are successful in bringing on board more corporate partners to fund the Foundation's work. Thanks again.
Posted by Caraleigh H. | November 11, 2007 4:24 AM
Posted on November 11, 2007 04:24
Visit to Montgomery Blair High School-
Montgomery Blair High School welcomed several visitors who addresed students on the cocoa industry in Ghana and general issues of economic development and education. The visitors included Mr.Bill Guyton of the WCF, Kwasi Bosompem of Let's Go Africa, Professor Welma Redd of Morgan State University and Mr. Kwame Clement.
As Blair High School works to involve students in its Academy of International Studies students become aware and want to learn more about globalization, international development and issues of social and economic justice. This kind of forum is a great chance to expose young people to experts in the field and provide first hand information from those doing the hands-on work. We look forward to future activities of this type, and severalstudents plan to attend the Re-Thinking Africa presentation at the Embassy of Ghana scheduled for January 25, 2008.
Posted by Kevin Moose | December 12, 2007 3:49 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 15:49