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Education representatives from business, government, academia, civil society, and the development and donor communities gathered in Port Louis, Mauritius to discuss and debate practical measures to transform education delivery around the Commonwealth.

They met at the 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum – a major international education conference supporting the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers.

Hon. Charles-Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance & Economic Development of Mauritius, welcomed delegates to the Forum and highlighted the progress his country has made in education provision and quality since 1968.

Speaking on the theme ‘Education in the Commonwealth: Making it Happen’ Ms. Amina J Mohammed, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, spoke of the ‘serious unfinished business’ of achieving the Millennium Development Goals and Education for All targets:

“It is not for want of best practice, status reports, civil society advocacy and citizens demands that we have failed. It is, I believe, a collective responsibility of governments around the world who articulated and signed onto visions and declarations, but have failed to give sufficient priority to education investments, requisite political will and timely actions that will give at the very least the foundations for an education that is NOT charity but a fundamental right of every child in this world of ours.

‘What we need now is a ‘heart to heart’ discussion with sincere commitment at its core in facing the facts that from where we stand today, there is no ‘quick fix’ to the situation we find ourselves.”

Mme Simone de Comarmond, Chair, Commonwealth Foundation, addressed delegates at the opening session. Setting the scene for the Forum, she called for the serious examination of the capacities in education, areas where Commonwealth cooperation can be most beneficial, and thinking on the scope for the different education partners to work together to perform such functions.

The Stakeholders’ Forum theme was approached through three parallel ‘clusters’: Making Basic Education Systems Better, Connecting Commonwealth Education and Cultures, and Skills for the Future.

A Stakeholders’ Statement representing the views and recommendations of stakeholders was presented to Commonwealth Education Ministers on the last day of the Forum. The Statement was the product of an online consultation held before the Forum and took into account discussion points and recommendations raised during the Forum. It included calls for the Commonwealth to improve education co-operation, protect the right to quality education during the global economic crisis and provide skills and opportunity for citizens to achieve their full potential.

The 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum is organised by the Commonwealth Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius and the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Link Community Development and Nexus Strategic Partnerships Limited.

The next CCEM and Stakeholders’ Forum will be hosted by The Bahamas in 2015.

Begins 27 August in the wings of the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (18CCEM).

The full programme and list of speakers for the Stakeholders’ Forum at the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers Meeting later this month is now available on the 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum website.

Ms. Amina J Mohammed, recently appointed by United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, as his Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, will give the keynote address on the Stakeholders’ Forum theme: ‘Education in the Commonwealth: Making it happen’.

On the last day of the Stakeholders’ Forum a Statement is presented to Education Ministers. The aim of the Statement is to give a voice to stakeholders and enable them to represent their views and recommendations to Ministers. A public consultation is currently taking place: please read and comment on the Statement. The consultation will close at midnight (UK time) on 5 August 2012.

The 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum is a parallel event supporting the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers alongside the Teachers’ Forum, Post-Secondary and Higher Education Leaders’ Forum and Youth Forum. It will bring together education representatives from business, government, academia, civil society, and the development and donor communities to discuss and debate practical measures to transform education delivery around the Commonwealth.

This is a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of education specialists from across the Commonwealth. There are still spaces available: if you are interested in attending please register here.

The 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum is organised by the Commonwealth Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius and the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Link Community Development and Nexus Strategic Partnerships Limited.

The Commonwealth Foundation has announced Amina J Mohammed OFR as keynote speaker at the Stakeholders’ Forum at the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers Meeting (CCEM) in August this year in Mauritius.

Ms Mohammed will address the Stakeholders’ Forum theme: ‘Education in the Commonwealth: Making it happen’.

Ms Mohammed recently stepped down as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after serving three Presidents over a period of six years. Her career as a development practitioner has spanned over 30 years in the public and private sectors as well as civil society.

Ms Mohammed is currently teaching at Columbia University as Adjunct Professor on a Master’s Course for Development Practice. This builds on her former role as National Coordinator for Education for All (EFA) at the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria (2001-2005). In this capacity she coordinated the development of the National Action Plan for EFA. 

Her remarks at the forthcoming Stakeholders’ Forum will open up the debate on taking education forward in the overall development context during the next three years leading up to 2015 and in the post-2015 era, looking at it from the point of view of the non-state actors and considering what role they can play in association with governments.  She is also expected to draw on cultural linkages to education in light of the Commonwealth theme of ‘Connecting Cultures’.

The 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum is a parallel event supporting the 18th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers alongside the Teachers’ Forum, Post-Secondary and Higher Education Leaders’ Forum and Youth Forum. It will bring together education representatives from business, government, academia, civil society, and the development and donor communities to discuss and debate practical measures to transform education delivery around the Commonwealth.

The 18CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum is organised by the Commonwealth Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius and the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Link Community Development and Nexus Strategic Partnerships Limited.

The Commonwealth Foundation, British Council and NGC Bocas Lit Fest announced a new partnership that will work towards enhancing the Caribbean literary scene and help kick-start an infrastructure to support writers, writing, and publishing.

Caribbean Literature Action Group (CALAG) was launched in Port of Spain at a one-day brainstorm workshop on Wednesday 25 April, on the eve of the 2012 NGC Bocas Lit Fest.

The Caribbean has produced some of the world’s greatest contemporary writers, including three Nobel Prize laureates. Its literature is one of the region’s most celebrated cultural products. But Caribbean writers continue to migrate to North America and Europe in order to obtain financial support for their work and to achieve the highest level of international recognition. Literary publishing within the region remains in an embryonic state, and talented writers who choose to stay “at home” often find it difficult to access international publishers, or find opportunities for local publication and promotion.

In light of these common interests, the British Council and Commonwealth Writers have now developed a plan to work in partnership with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest and other literary professionals in the region. The first stage is to assemble a small, results-oriented action group of professionals from all areas of the Caribbean literary sector: writers, publishers, editors, teachers, booksellers, and organisers of festivals and writing programmes. 

Facilitators for the action group include Nicholas Laughlin (editor, Caribbean Review of Books), Linda Leith (founder of Blue Metropolis Bleu in Quebec), and Susie Nicklin (Director of Literature, British Council); and UK delegates include Ellah Allfrey (Deputy Editor Granta), Kei Miller (writer, editor and lecturer), and Jeremy Poynting (Peepal Tree Press).

“The British Council is privileged to have been invited to join such a distinguished group to address issues of concern, not just to the Caribbean but to writers across the Americas,” said Susie Nicklin, Director Literature, British Council. “With the Council’s global remit I hope that my experience and expertise will be helpful, but I expect to learn far more than I can teach from such vibrant and accomplished people.”  

“Commonwealth Writers is excited to be part of this timely action group to generate practical ideas to help shape a dynamic publishing infrastructure across the Caribbean,” said Lucy Hannah, Programme Manager, Culture, at the Commonwealth Foundation. “We hope that the initiatives which emerge from CALAG will in the longer term be transferable to other regions where opportunities for writers are scarce.” 

“The NGC Bocas Lit Fest was established to promote Caribbean writers and writing,” added Marina Salandy-Brown, Festival Director and Founder, NGC Bocas Lit Fest.  “Joining forces with the British Council and Commonwealth Writers, two entities dedicated to advancing literature in many other regions of the world, presents a real opportunity to help push forward development in the region’s publishing sector.  We are delighted to be able to work with fellow Caribbean people who share the same ambition.” 

The British Council and Commonwealth Writers and NGC Bocas Lit Fest have announced a new partnership that will work towards enhancing the Caribbean literary scene and help kick-start an infrastructure to support writers, writing, and publishing.

Caribbean Literature Action Group (CALAG) will be launched in Port of Spain at a one-day brainstorm workshop on Wednesday 25 April, on the eve of the 2012 NGC Bocas Lit Fest.

The Caribbean has produced some of the world’s greatest contemporary writers, including three Nobel Prize laureates. Its literature is one of the region’s most celebrated cultural products. But Caribbean writers continue to migrate to North America and Europe in order to obtain financial support for their work and to achieve the highest level of international recognition. Literary publishing within the region remains in an embryonic state, and talented writers who choose to stay “at home” often find it difficult to access international publishers, or find opportunities for local publication and promotion.

In light of these common interests, the British Council and Commonwealth Writers have now developed a plan to work in partnership with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest and other literary professionals in the region. The first stage is to assemble a small, results-oriented action group of professionals from all areas of the Caribbean literary sector: writers, publishers, editors, teachers, booksellers, and organisers of festivals and writing programmes. 

Facilitators for the action group include Nicholas Laughlin (editor, Caribbean Review of Books), Linda Leith (founder of Blue Metropolis Bleu in Quebec), and Susie Nicklin (Director of Literature, British Council); and UK delegates include Ellah Allfrey (Deputy Editor Granta), Kei Miller (writer, editor and lecturer), and Jeremy Poynting (Peepal Tree Press).

 “The British Council is privileged to have been invited to join such a distinguished group to address issues of concern, not just to the Caribbean but to writers across the Americas. With the Council’s global remit I hope that my experience and expertise will be helpful, but I expect to learn far more than I can teach from such vibrant and accomplished people.”  Susie Nicklin, Director Literature, British Council. 

“Commonwealth Writers is excited to be part of this timely action group to generate practical ideas to help shape a dynamic publishing infrastructure across the Caribbean. We hope that the initiatives which emerge from CALAG will in the longer term be transferable to other regions where opportunities for writers are scarce.” Lucy Hannah, Programme Manager, Culture, Commonwealth Foundation.

“The NGC Bocas Lit Fest was established to promote Caribbean writers and writing.  Joining forces with the British Council and Commonwealth Writers, two entities dedicated to advancing literature in many other regions of the world, presents a real opportunity to help push forward development in the region’s publishing sector.  We are delighted to be able to work with fellow Caribbean people who share the same ambition.” Marina Salandy-Brown, Festival Director and Founder, NGC Bocas Lit Fest.

In 2012, four new representatives from civil society joined the CGPMG for a two year term.

Africa: Ms. Marren Akatsa-Bukachi
Executive Director, East African sub Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI), Uganda

Asia: Ms. Sijal Aziz
Director, Outreach and Programs, Women Empowerment Literacy and Development Organization (WELDO), Pakistan

Caribbean: Ms. Hazel Brown
Coordinator of the Network of NGOs of Trinidad & Tobago for the Advancement of Women, Trinidad and Tobago

Pacific: ‘Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki
Director, Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC), Tonga

Commonwealth People’s Forum provides crucial interface between governments and civil society

Civil society representatives gathered in Perth today for the start of the three-day Commonwealth People’s Forum to discuss and debate key issues facing Commonwealth People. The Forum was officially opened by the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia in a ceremony also addressed by Premier of Western Australia, The Hon. Colin Barnett MLA, Commonwealth Secretary-General H.E. Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Foundation Chair, Madam Simone de Comarmond and Commonwealth People’s Forum Chair, Ms Sue Ash.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the mark of any civil society was how it treats its most vulnerable in society. “Despite Australia’s relative prosperity, there are people in this country and this state who are  vulnerable and they need support. I’m proud of the way we support those most in need but forums like this are important because they provoke debate and remind governments that we can always do better.”

Commonwealth Secretary-General H.E Kamalesh Sharma described the Forum as a “vibrant expression of the Commonwealth family in action.”

The Forum continues to be a crucial part of the interface between governments and civil society. Central to these discussions is a powerful statement from civil society representatives of the 54 member association calling on Heads of Government to act urgently to strengthen the role of civil society so that the Commonwealth can become a “meaningful vehicle for change.”

The statement draws attention to the disconnect between the Commonwealth’s stated aims, goals, and high level policy and the realities facing many citizens’ organisations on the ground.

Civil society leader Mr. Phiroshaw Camay of the Cooperative for Research and Education in South Africa said: “The global challenges that Commonwealth citizens experience individually every day, from poverty to HIV and AIDS demand that our governments work together – not just with each other, but with the very citizens’ organisations that are leading the way on so many fronts.”

Over the next three days, 300 accredited delegates from Australia and the wider Commonwealth will debate the issues raised in the statement in preparation for a round table dialogue between civil society representatives and Commonwealth Foreign Ministers on Thursday 27 October in Perth.

In a strongly worded statement civil society representatives drawn from across the 54 member association have called on Commonwealth heads to act urgently to strengthen the role of civil society in order to become a ‘meaningful vehicle for change.’

With five weeks to go until the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, civil society leader Shantal Munro Knight will address Foreign Ministers from Commonwealth member states at a special meeting in New York. Presenting the 2011 Civil Society Statement that draws on the views of nearly 300 representatives, she will urge Commonwealth governments to include civil society in their decision making.

The statement highlights the disconnect between the Commonwealth’s high level policy making and those at the grass roots which ‘hampers effective action […]. The statement goes onto say that ‘The Commonwealth must confront its own weaknesses.’

Crucially Ministers have an opportunity to respond to these views in the communiqué that they will produce from the CHOGM in Perth in October. It is this communiqué that will set the policy agenda for the Commonwealth.

The statement includes demands to Heads of Government to:

• Create an independent Commonwealth Commissioner on Democracy and the Rule of Law;
• Enhance the power and presence of the voice of women at all levels of Commonwealth institutions and processes;
• Commit to programmes that mitigate the HIV and AIDS pandemic, including decriminalising same-sex sexual conduct;
• Contribute to the safeguarding of traditional cultures;
• Protect human rights defenders across the Commonwealth.

Munro-Knight considers this audience to be the first step on the road to a fully inclusive Commonwealth. ‘Failure to include citizens in decision making processes makes for slow and ineffective change’ said Munro-Knight who has been vocal around the Caribbean. She has spent time mobilising citizens to feed into what she cites as a ‘very important process’ and an ‘opportunity that comes only once every two years’. ‘We must continue to show why governments need civil society. We make things happen, we create the change, we are the ones affected by the issues in the world. So we need to be listened to.’