Workshop on Education for Rural People in Africa
FAO, Rome,
Italy, 28-29 November 2007

Press clippings

Approximately 70% of Africa's population lives in rural areas. These areas have the highest proportions of poor, the majority of out-of-school children and the highest illiteracy rates, with the attendant problems of compromised food security and health, limited productivity, limited opportunities to improve livelihoods, poor management of resources and of the environment. Education for rural people is thus a strategic priority in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and illiteracy and for the promotion of rural development.

High-level officials from the Ministries of Education and Agriculture of more than 10 African countries will participate in a workshop on education for rural people in Africa held at FAO Headquarters, Rome, on 28 and 29 November 2007.

The workshop was co-organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) with the support of the Italian Development Cooperation (DGCS) and in collaboration with UNESCO, the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), the French Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs and the World Bank Institute, France as part of a general effort to make education in rural areas a top priority in national policies and aid strategies.

Discussions was organized around the following themes:

- Educational and training policies for rural people: State of affairs and implementation in participant countries
- Education, training and extension and the fight against poverty and hunger
- Strategies targeted to meet the demand for education, training and extension for rural people, including financing strategies
- Contribution of higher and tertiary education and research to education for rural populations
- Partnerships in support of education for rural people

The workshop focused on progress made since the ministerial seminar on education for rural development held in Addis Ababa in September 2005.

Click below to download documents:

Agenda and Information note

Agenda (Word Document) and Information note (PDF Document)

Workshop Documents

Opening Session

Presentation , David Acker (Powerpoint)

Background Documents and Publications

Documents from co-organising partners

Education for Rural People in Africa (FAO, UNESCO/IIEP, ADEA, 2006. ISBN: 978-92-803-1295-9)

Link to the 2005 ERP ministerial seminar (ADEA)

Link to the 2005 ERP ministerial seminar (FAO)

Documents from countries

Burkina Faso - PRSP ; Ethiopia - PRSP ; Guinea - PRSP ; Kenya - PRSP ; Madagascar - PRSP ;

Mozambique - PRSP ; Niger - PRSP ; Senegal - PRSP ; Uganda - PRSP;

Documents from strategic partners

OXFAM Novib

World Bank - World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development

- Overview ;

- Overview (Portuguese)

- Focus on Education and Skills for Rural Development

Press Corner

- Media Advisory

Activities