Hailing from 16 different countries across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific region, a new generation of education planners are ready to take on the challenges of planning for inclusive, quality education systems.
The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) awarded today 17 trainees with certificates for completing the residential phase of the 51st session of its flagship Advanced Training Programme (ATP) in educational planning and management.
On behalf of the whole IIEP team, I wish to convey to you how proud we are of your achievements. You rose with grace and tenacity to the challenge of the ATP. You forged a collegial spirit that was inspiring,” said IIEP’s Director Suzanne Grant Lewis during the closing ceremony. “Now we need you to rise to a more important challenge, applying your knowledge and skills, sharing your knowledge and skills and helping to transforming your education systems. Stand strong and protect your instinct to care, and let that drive your actions."
The ATP in educational planning and management is a year-long intensive course comprised of an initial three-month online component, a six-month residential phase in Paris and a capstone project in the participant’s country of origin. Running for over five decades, the course develops professional expertise and leadership skills in the area of educational planning and management and helps strengthen institutional capacity for educational development.
A further five trainees also completed the shorter Education Sector Planning module this year, which focuses on the skills and competencies that form the basis for educational planning and management.
This year’s closing ceremony coincided with an important moment in education: all countries are engaging in the implementation of the new global agenda for sustainable development, and in particular the fourth goal (SDG 4) on education.
There is a new era opening,” said IIEP’s Head of Training, Patricia Dias Da Graça to the trainees. “As all of you return to your countries you will contribute to this new momentum. New challenges also await you in your roles as educational planners to help align your plans and sectoral strategies to SDG 4 and its seven targets. We have done everything so that IIEP’s training prepares you to meet these challenges.”
In a similar vein, Svein Osttveit, Director of the Executive Office of the Education Sector of UNESCO, stressed that this new generation of education planners – equipped with both the hard and soft skills that education systems need today – is key to making the third round of international education goals a reality. In his remarks, Osttveit referred back to the World Declaration on Education for All proposed in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990, and the second Millennium Development Goal, which focused on access to primary education for all.
“You have a special possibility, responsibility, and challenge to help your respective countries [achieve] this third try. We will make it, we will make education for all a reality,” Osttveit said to the departing trainees. “Planning plays a key role from the very beginning and throughout the whole process. We are very excited about this third time because not only do we have the full cycle starting from pre-primary but it also [includes] non-formal and informal education and lifelong learning that is key to making sure that investment in education gives the result we want: sustainable peaceful societies.”
The 2015-2016 President of the IIEP Trainees’ Association, Hyacinth Bramble-Browne from Montserrat, also took to the stage to thank the funding agencies and governments who made this 51st session possible and to IIEP-UNESCO for selecting this year’s cohort of participants.
“Today symbolizes a milestone along our career path,” said Bramble-Browne. “We have been adequately prepared for the challenges that we will encounter as educational planners. Each and every participant of the 2015-2016 has grown since our arrival: targets met, goals successfully achieved.”
IIEP offers a wide array of courses, both in Paris and at a distance, ranging from two-week professional development courses to the comprehensive Advanced Training Programme (ATP). More information on all our programmes can be found here.
