Education for Democracy: A Dialogue
15 September 2023, 10:00 - 12:30 | Cape Town
South Africa
Webinar Conference
Event by: Public Education Education Office of Parliament of South Africa, Cannon Collins Trust, Adult Learning Forum
The Education for Democracy Dialogue, is part of commemorating International Literacy Day, 9th September and International Day of Democracy, 15 September. This is a unique opportunity for scholars in the field of Education, to present their research and recommendations and allow time for brief discussion.
You are invited to join us in person, to participate in the dialogue. If you can’t be there, join us on online.
When 10am-12:30pm, 15 September
Where National Parliament of RSA, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town
Contact person Catherine@canoncollins.org | 072 767 1115
PROGRAMME
Opening and Welcome - Ms Ressida Begg, Division Manager: Core Business Support Division, Parliament of RSA
Dialogues Facilitated by Catherine Sofianos, the Canon Collins Trust
Ashley Visagie - “School Resource Officers take a militarised approach to school discipline and stigmatise poor young people and young people of colour.”
Qamani Njara - “Two recommenda(ons to help solve the literacy and arithme(c crisis in South African primary schools.”
Helga Jansen - “Alignment of South African’s local strategic development plans with TVET college offerings: An argument for policy coherence between the economy and technical and vocational training.”
Ivor Baatjes - “Centering Non-Formal Educa(on in Adult and Community Education and Community College.”
Closing by Farrell Hunter
Cost
FreeUpcoming events
Past events
UIL x AF3L - Webinar - Lifelong learning and the inclusion of NEETs in Africa: Rethinking pathways to empowerment and economic inclusion
Across Africa, rapid economic, technological and demographic changes are reshaping education systems and labour markets. These shifts are increasing the demand for new skills while exposing persistent gaps in access to education, training and employment opportunities.
As a result, many young people face difficulties transitioning into work and are classified as Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs). In African contexts, this is closely linked to rapid population growth, urbanization and the prevalence of informal economies, where many youth engage in work and learning pathways that are not always formally recognized
While the NEET concept helps highlight youth vulnerability, it does not always capture the diversity of African realities, including informal work, self-employment and non-formal learning. This calls for more context-sensitive approaches to understanding youth transitions.
In this context, lifelong learning offers a key framework for supporting more flexible and inclusive pathways to skills development, employment and entrepreneurship. However, its implementation remains challenged by fragmented systems and limited coordination across education, training and labour sectors.
This webinar will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, private-sector actors and youth representatives to explore how lifelong learning can support more inclusive and flexible pathways for youth empowerment and socio-economic participation in African contexts.
Objectives
- Analyze NEET dynamics in Africa and their implications for youth inclusion
- Explore how lifelong learning can support flexible pathways for empowerment and employment
- Share innovative policies and practices for youth inclusion
- Identify strategic directions for more inclusive lifelong learning systems
WEBINAR: LEARNING THAT WORKS
The webinar will examine how adult and non-formal education programmes can strengthen practical skills development and vocational pathways for youth and adults. It will focus on how Integrated community programmes for Adult Education, CLCs (Community Learning Centres) and Folk Development Colleges can connect literacy with livelihoods, employability, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
- Presenters: Geoffrey Sixbert Nchimbi, Principal, Newala Folk Development College | Mwajuma Mohamed, Lecturer, Institute of Adult Education
- Date: 11 June 2026
- Time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)
English / French
