By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo and Director of Education Dr. Tholakele Mngometulu represented the Kingdom of Eswatini at the UNESCO Global Education Meeting (GEM) in Brazil.
The high-profile gathering was held on October 31 and November 1 and brought together ministers and education leaders worldwide to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
During the GEM, Eswatini’s representatives joined a dynamic conversation, beginning with discussions at the national level and advancing through continental platforms to culminate in the global Fortaleza Declaration.
This final declaration highlighted commitments from various nations, including Eswatini, to meet education targets outlined in the SDG 4 framework.
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Nxumalo emphasized the critical importance of Eswatini’s participation in these dialogues, stating, “Active involvement in such global educational frameworks ensures that our unique challenges and aspirations are acknowledged and considered in international education strategies.”
The meeting expressed the importance of transforming educational systems to meet the evolving needs of young people, particularly in light of technological and economic shifts globally.
The Minister and Director engaged with UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Education, Stefania Giannini, to explore collaborative opportunities, emphasizing Eswatini’s dedication to building resilient and inclusive educational systems.
Their discussions also included neighbouring countries’ representatives, such as South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Khabane and Dr. Nkosinathi Sishi, Director of Higher Education in South Africa.
Such collaborations were said to strengthen Eswatini’s regional ties and enhance its capacity to adapt successful educational models and strategies from fellow African nations.
The GEM, held biennially, serves as a review point for countries working to achieve the Education 2030 agenda, with this year’s focus on accelerating transformative actions within educational sectors globally.
The 2024 gathering was informed by the “United Nations Pact for the Future,” aiming to align education efforts with broader sustainable development goals.
The Fortaleza Declaration, adopted unanimously, is a guiding document that reflects collective aspirations and outlines actionable commitments, though non-binding, for achieving SDG 4 by 2030.
UNESCO’s Education 2030 Framework for Action, in consultation with the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC), provided the structural backdrop for the meeting.
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Regional and constituency-specific consultations leading up to GEM allowed countries like Eswatini to present localized insights, ensuring diverse perspectives contributed to the Declaration’s formation.
Again, the 2024 GEM was preceded by the “Accelerating Progress Towards SDG4” meeting in June, which laid the groundwork for the comprehensive review in Brazil.
Discussions at GEM reflected an urgency to implement actionable strategies, focusing on equitable access, digital literacy, and skills alignment with job markets.
