International Working Group on Education

IWGE is an informal group of aid agencies and foundations. It was created in 1972 to enable donor agencies to exchange information and work closely together on education issues. Since 1982, it has devoted itself to the development and promotion of basic education. It played a catalytic role in the Education for All (EFA) Conference in Jomtien.

40 to 50 participants representing some 25 to 30 organizations attend meetings
The IWGE meets, on average, once every 18 months. Participants discuss issues of common interest relating to international co-operation in the field of education. Sessions are structured around three themes:

• sharing of information on agencies' activities
• discussions of one or several substantive topics relating to current challenges in education development
• discussions on aid modalities and improvement of interagency co-operation.

Membership and management
Membership is open to all aid agencies and foundations involved in education development work, either multilateral or bilateral, governmental or non-governmental.
A planning committee, assisted by a secretariat, ensures management. Members of the committee include: the Aga Khan Foundation, the IBRD, the Swedish Co-operation Agency (Sida), UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID, and DFID. The secretariat is provided by the IIEP.