1. July, 20-21 – UNESCO Paris Fifth Meeting of the EFA Working Group Civil society engagement in EFA after Dakar: What has been the value added?

2. Partnership with civil society organizations in the follow-up to the World Education Forum in Dakar World Education Forum in Dakar The Collective Consultation of NGOs on EFA (CCNGO/EFA) in the post-Dakar period

3. 1984 UNESCO creates the Collective Consultation of NGOs on Literacy 1990 new thematic focus: the CCNGO/EFA: expanded vision of basic education Jomtien 2000 new role for civil society as policy partner: World Education Forum in Dakar (Reasons for Hope: NGOs Contributing to EFA. CCNGO/EFA and UNESCO) NEED FOR FURTHER REFORM HISTORY

4. “… ensure the engagement and participation of civil society in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of strategies for educational development ” (§ 8 of the Dakar Framework for Action) “… coordinating EFA partners and maintaining their collaborative momentum ” (§ 19 of the Dakar Framework for Action) Effective NGO lobbying and dialogue with UNESCO Why a reform of the CCNGO/EFA? A growing civil society movement in the South requires new and flexible ways of partnership

5. Characteristics of the CCNGO/EFA reform   Consideration of civil society’s policy role (participation and partnerships)   Regionalization of the structure and activities   Open to all civil society organizations that are (i) non-governmental and not-for-profit and (ii) work in the field of EFA   Commitment to promote EFA in a perspective of lifelong learning and cultural diversity

6. International Coordination: Emerging Architecture High Level Group Working Group Monitoring Report International Strategy FTI Donors Group MDG CCNGO/ EFA FLAGSHIPS EFA Forums: Regional/ National EFA Partners: Governments, UNESCO, UNICEF, WB, Bilateral, NGOs

7. UNESCO’s roles and the Collective Consultation of NGOs on EFA Impartial broker Facilitator Catalyst Laboratory of ideas Promote collaboration between governments and civil society Support civil society networking and capacity building Learn from civil society perspectives and practice

8. Purpose of the CCNGO/EFA Facilitate information sharing and dialogue on EFA issues among NGOs and with partners Promote knowledge creation and dissemination on civil society engagement in EFA Encourage civil society participation in monitoring EFA goals Support capacity building for local NGOs/CSOs

9. Participation in the Collective Consultation of NGOs on EFA 665 NGOs/CSOs are connected through the network’s list serve About 150 participate in the international meetings (i.e. 2003 in Porto Alegre) About 50 to 80 participate in regional meetings (i.e. Lilongwe 2002; Beirut 2003)

10. NGOs registered on CCNGO/EFA List serve by region: serve by region:

11. Diverse Membership Campaign networks Faith-based organisations Learning networks Teachers’ unions Religious organizations Community-based organizations Parent-teacher associations Student organizations Women’s groups and others

12. Strategy Assessing civil society engagement in policy processes: annual meetings Support to NGO reporting on EFA : MINEDAF VIII, CONFINTEA Mid-Term Review, Monitoring Report Promotion of policy dialogue between governments and NGOs: Special Sessions with NGOs and Ministers (Geneva, 2001) and (Dar Es Salaam 2002) Capacity-building for NGOs/CSOs in support of EFA: Program for Africa (so far 11 countries; funding from the World Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation and UNESCO)

13. Better understanding of civil society’s policy role Deeper knowledge on how to enable EFA policy dialogue (i.e. two-way process) Understanding diversity (i.e. reformists and avant-garde), but also new alliances for EFA (i.e teachers unions/ NGOs) Strengthened belief in the value of ongoing dialogue to shape relevant education strategies for the future What has UNESCO learned through the CCNGO/EFA?

14. Accelerate regionalisation of the CCNGO/EFA (I.e. annual meeting 2004 in Beirut) Support participatory assessment and dialogue of civil society engagement in EFA at all levels Facilitate cross-regional exchange in the area of CSO capacity building for local CSOs (virtual forum/ seminar) Partner with CCNGO/EFA in the elaboration of think pieces on EFA Priorities for the future?

15. Presented by Susanne Schnuttgen Program Specialist Community learning and collaboration with civil society on EFA Basic Education Division / Section on Literacy and Non-formal Education UNESCO Paris Web: http://www.education.unesco.org