NEWTON, MA | November 18, 2008
Using radio to widen the path to educational opportunity in the world’s fragile states was the subject of EDC presentations at The Ninth Working Group meeting on Education for All at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, November 12-14. The meeting brought together more than 80 participants, representing 40 countries and international and bilateral agencies.
EDC’s presentations, made on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development, reviewed results of 35 years’ experience using Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) to improve educational quality and access in some of the world’s most difficult regions. In line with the meeting’s thematic focus of addressing the ‘teacher gap’ in Education for All strategies, the presentations highlighted EDC’s work in Mali and Madagascar, where IRI is proving to be a cost-effective tool for improving teaching practice.
EDC’s presenters, including Mike Laflin, Rebecca Rhodes, Sera Kariuki, and Stephen Anzalone, summarized how IRI works, and its benefits for learners of all ages.
The meeting focused on four key topics: the role of education in meeting global challenges and the Millennium Development Goals; teachers; equity and governance; and education financing. These issues were chosen for their predominant influence on how children, youth, and adults can benefit from quality learning opportunities.
The annual Working Group meeting participants represent governments, regional bodies, bilateral and multilateral organizations, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Discussions from the meeting will result in a set of recommendations to be presented in Oslo, Norway, in December.
