Policy Advocacy Lessons and Platform for Post CONFINTEA VI Phase Basic Leadership Development Course Baguio City, Philippines September 19-27, 2010 September 19-27, 2010 Handout prepared by Tanvir Muntasim Policy Team ASPBAE

2 CONFINTEA? International Conference on Adult Education International Conference on Adult Education Convened by UNESCO Convened by UNESCO Happens every 11/12 years Happens every 11/12 years Last one took place in Hamburg in 1997 Last one took place in Hamburg in 1997

3 CONFINTEA VI: Basic Information Dates: December 1-4, 2009 Dates: December 1-4, 2009 Venue: Belem, Para, Brazil, Venue: Belem, Para, Brazil, Theme: "Living and Learning for a Viable Future – The Power of Adult Learning“ Theme: "Living and Learning for a Viable Future – The Power of Adult Learning“ Category II official inter-governmental UNESCO-led conference; UIL is Secretariat Category II official inter-governmental UNESCO-led conference; UIL is Secretariat Approx. 150 countries participated, with strong and visible CSO participation Approx. 150 countries participated, with strong and visible CSO participation

4 Belem Framework for Action: The Outcome Document Drafted by UNESCO as the template for the conference declaration Drafted by UNESCO as the template for the conference declaration Participating Country delegates reviewed, discussed, debated and approved the final version Participating Country delegates reviewed, discussed, debated and approved the final version

5 Belem Framework for Action: What is in it? Recommendations and strategies on Recommendations and strategies on –Policy –Governance –Financing –Participation, inclusion and equity –Adult Literacy –Quality –Monitoring Implementation Statement of Evidence Statement of Evidence –Issues and Challenges –Progress since CONFINTEA V

6 Advocacy Gains in the Conference For the first time, 2 CSO representatives on the drafting committee, despite overall CSO space being reduced in terms of participation For the first time, 2 CSO representatives on the drafting committee, despite overall CSO space being reduced in terms of participation Strong support from national delegation for CSO 10 point demands Strong support from national delegation for CSO 10 point demands

7 Advocacy Gains in the Conference Renewed commitment to adult education Renewed commitment to adult education Acknowledgement of the urgent need for action on adult literacy Acknowledgement of the urgent need for action on adult literacy Recognition that we need to move beyond simplistic understandings of literacy, to recognise a continuum of learning. Recognition that we need to move beyond simplistic understandings of literacy, to recognise a continuum of learning. Commitment to produce fully costed and well- targeted plans backed up by legislation – and with active participation from civil society, educators and learners themselves. Commitment to produce fully costed and well- targeted plans backed up by legislation – and with active participation from civil society, educators and learners themselves.

8 Advocacy Gains in the Conference There was strong language recognising different forms of discrimination that undermine access to education. There was strong language recognising different forms of discrimination that undermine access to education. The commitment to monitor progress on adult education was significantly reinforced with clear timelines. The commitment to monitor progress on adult education was significantly reinforced with clear timelines. commitment to ensure that the major global financing mechanism for education for all (Education Fast Track Initiative) should explicitly support adult literacy. commitment to ensure that the major global financing mechanism for education for all (Education Fast Track Initiative) should explicitly support adult literacy.

9 Policy Losses? Mostly non binding commitments Mostly non binding commitments No benchmark proposed for adult education financing No benchmark proposed for adult education financing No proposition of adult education as a inviolable human right No proposition of adult education as a inviolable human right

10 Lessons for Reflection Long term planning and preparation for advocacy are likely to bear fruit Long term planning and preparation for advocacy are likely to bear fruit In lobby efforts, key and concise demands are much more useful than long thematic documents In lobby efforts, key and concise demands are much more useful than long thematic documents Home work on existing and alternative policy texts are vital Home work on existing and alternative policy texts are vital

11 Lessons for Reflection Knowledge of procedurals, along with advocacy and diplomacy skills are essential in major lobby events Knowledge of procedurals, along with advocacy and diplomacy skills are essential in major lobby events Skills of adult education practitioners and advocates not necessarily part of the same set Skills of adult education practitioners and advocates not necessarily part of the same set Demands based on evidence are more likely to be met than demands based on rhetoric only Demands based on evidence are more likely to be met than demands based on rhetoric only Formal linkages between govt. and CSOs are vital in ensuring policy commitments Formal linkages between govt. and CSOs are vital in ensuring policy commitments

12 Looking Forward: Post CONFINTEA Phase and ASPBAE Plans Strategic Approach Strategic Approach –Mobilising National Constituencies –Forging stronger links between CSOs and Policy Makers using the ongoing momentum and identifying policy hooks and handles –Deepening research and analysis to fuel national mobilisation, regional lobbying and reshaping of global discourse

13 Updates Post CONFINTEA CONFINTEA Advisory Group formed and one meeting held (convened by UIL). The mandate of the group is CONFINTEA Advisory Group formed and one meeting held (convened by UIL). The mandate of the group is – – To help to shape and update a follow-up plan for CONFINTEA VI – –To advocate for increased resources for adult education – –To act as an institutionalised advocacy group for adult education at international level and in conjunction with national groups

14 Updates Post CONFINTEA CONFINTEA Advisory Group formed and one meeting held (convened by UIL). The mandate of the group is CONFINTEA Advisory Group formed and one meeting held (convened by UIL). The mandate of the group is – –To help to shape and update a follow-up plan for CONFINTEA VI – –To advocate for increased resources for adult education – –To act as an institutionalised advocacy group for adult education at international level and in conjunction with national groups

15 Updates Post CONFINTEA (Contd.) First big international event on adult learning, the Forum on lifelong learning took place in Shanghai, May. However, its focus was on promoting the concept of life long learning, rather than looking at concrete follow up mechanisms to CONFINTEA VI. First big international event on adult learning, the Forum on lifelong learning took place in Shanghai, May. However, its focus was on promoting the concept of life long learning, rather than looking at concrete follow up mechanisms to CONFINTEA VI. China and Korea planning Post CONFINTEA meetings organized respectively by CAEA and NILE in cooperation with government China and Korea planning Post CONFINTEA meetings organized respectively by CAEA and NILE in cooperation with government Some countries conceptualising and implementing major literacy/adult learning projects Some countries conceptualising and implementing major literacy/adult learning projects

16 Some Actions for Consideration by National Advocates for Adult Education Widely share the commitments made by the government in CONFINTEA VI (being signatory to Belem Framework) Widely share the commitments made by the government in CONFINTEA VI (being signatory to Belem Framework) Review the consistency of and alignment with national policies and programmes Review the consistency of and alignment with national policies and programmes Identify key policy moments and advocacy opportunities and lobby with the government Identify key policy moments and advocacy opportunities and lobby with the government

17 Policy and Campaign Spaces International International –MDG and EFA End of Decade (EDA) Assessment –MDG Summit in September 2010 –G 20 Meeting in Korea in October National National –Education Policies –Midterm and Annual development plans/ –Budget formulation and review, –Literacy Day in September – 1 Goal Campaign

18 For more information/ resources Links Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) - Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) - National Reports on Adult Education for CONFINTEA - National Reports on Adult Education for CONFINTEA EFA Global Monitoring Report - EFA Global Monitoring Report ASPBAE website – ASPBAE website – Contact For updates and information, please contact – Tanvir Muntasim, Post CONFINTEA Campaign Coordinator, ASPBAE –