VII. Conclusion

Key recommended actions

EFA national plans

Peer review processes (including criteria and mechanisms) of EFA national plans at regional level should be put in place by the end of 2001. Funding mechanisms need to be settled as a matter of urgency.

EFA comprehensive strategy

A task group will be constituted (UNESCO, one multilateral agency, one bilateral agency, one NGO and a country representative) to draft an outline of the comprehensive strategy. UNESCO will present a summary of progress on the drafting to the high-level group. The task group will assemble the sections prepared by each lead agency with their task team and forward a complete draft to stakeholders for consultation. The collaborative process of drafting the
strategy will aim to produce the final draft by the end of April 2002 (second anniversary of Dakar).

Flagship programmes

Two new flagship programmes are proposed: ‘teachers and quality’ and ‘disability’.

Monitoring report

The report should be aimed at all stakeholders and convey a sense of urgency; it should enable the high-level group to maintain the impetus of EFA.


Final remarks

The ADG/ED summed up the tone and outcomes of the meeting by making the following remarks:

the meeting was an expression of partnership, through its frank, open, committed and productive approach, characterized by good will.

progress is never as fast as we would like.

in EFA partnership it is not important who gets the credit.

the heart of EFA lies at national level.

there is firm engagement with and of civil society.

EFA crosses sectors: how to engage other relevant ministries in some national contexts?

work on the comprehensive strategy will be a priority for UNESCO over the next months.

we have made progress on assessing EFA plans.

issues remain: involvement of the private sector, inclusion and disability, ICTs in EFA.

flagship programmes: their focus needs clarifying, additional programmes to be added (e.g. disability, teachers and quality).

the monitoring report will be a forerunner of a punchier version.

more thought is needed on reaching the unreached, countries in crisis, etc.

final question and challenge: how can UNESCO take forward the EFA agenda fast, effectively and professionally?