It was on 2 October 2024 that the International Forum of UNESCO Chairs and Partners, convened by the African Union Commission and UNESCO, concluded quite successfully in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dubbed “Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future,” the Forum brought together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and international partners, all focused on advancing interdisciplinary research and collaboration across Africa as well as mutually beneficial South-South and South-South-North partnerships.
The Ethiopian president, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, said that “Knowledge is a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested” while addressing the forum as a landmark component in shaping the future of the continent. She added that knowledge diversity would underpin Africa’s road to progress and called for rebalancing in research partnerships to be inclusive for development purposes.
‘H.E. Prof. Mohamed Belhocine, AU commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation emphasized education is a human right and the best anchor for progress in society. He advocated that education should be free and accessible especially primary education, while pointing out to strong education systems capable of withstanding disaster, such as natural calamity and conflict, during a crisis.”. He also emphasized that the aim of youth education should not be limited to producing only economic results but that of practicing responsible citizenship through equipping with critical thinking and life skills.
As an Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, Stefania Giannini reports that “We now face an existential choice between continuing on an unsustainable path or radically changing course”. Above all, she highlighted that it was time to change the mechanisms of producing knowledge so as to redesign alternative futures for Africa.
The Forum welcomed more than 550 participants from 90 countries to critical areas including gender equality, health, artificial intelligence, and open science. The event was aligned with Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by facilitating discussions around the Pact of the Future and its effects.
When the forum finally ended, participants left invigorated with renewed commitment to collaborative research and action aimed at improving knowledge for the betterment of Africa and of humanity.
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