MOJA

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

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

• Date: May 13, 2026
• Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (GMT)

• Mr. Diakaridia Diarra, Deputy National Director of Non-Formal Education and National Languages, Mali
• Mr. Amara Kone, Head of the Research and Learning Department, Directorate of Coordination and Monitoring of Literacy Programs (DCSPA), Côte d'Ivoire
   

English / French

Join us to learn more about Curriculum managerALE and how it aims to equip adult learning managers with practical competencies to lead effectively, adapt to diverse contexts, and strengthen institutions in alignment with local needs and global ALE standards.

PRESENTERS: Dr. Johann Heilmann, Regional director, southern africa

DATE: 16 April 2026

TIME: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)

In this webinar, two authors from Issue 3 explore how adult education strengthens livelihoods, builds communities of practice, and drives women’s empowerment and community development in Mali and South Africa.

Presenters:

• Ms SYLLA Fatoumata Cisse, National Director of Non Formal Education and National Languages
• Dr Kaylianne Aploon-Zokufa, lecturer, the University of the Western Cape

Date: 12 march 2026

Time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)

Languages: English / french

(Times are CET)

On 18 February 2026, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), together with Huawei, associate member of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), will unveil a new global, multi-lingual course designed to strengthen the digital skills of literacy educators worldwide.

Literacy educators are at the heart of inclusive, equitable and high‑quality education. Their work empowers learners, supports communities and drives social transformation. Yet, despite their vital role, many continue to face persistent challenges: limited access to professional development, precarious working conditions, and insufficient policy recognition. The rapid pace of digital change and the COVID‑19 pandemic have intensified these pressures, underscoring the urgent need for digital, learner‑centred approaches to adult learning and education. In low-resource, remote or crisis‑affected settings, educators often lack continuous training opportunities, digital tools and strong professional support networks – barriers that hinder their ability to meet the evolving needs of their learners.

To help bridge these gaps, UIL, with the support of GAL and Huawei, has developed a free, open-access, multilingual course - available in English, French, Arabic and Spanish - and hosted on the UIL Learning Hub.

Grounded in UNESCO’s Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education (RALE), the Marrakech Framework for Action and the Digital Empowerment for Lifelong Learning and Transformative Andragogy (DELTA) framework, this new course offers a flexible learning pathway to advance the professionalisation of literacy educators and enhance the quality of literacy provision globally. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate supporting their ongoing professional growth and recognition.

The global launch webinar will officially introduce the new course, explore the evolving role of literacy educators in digitally transforming learning environments, and highlight regional perspectives on capacity‑building priorities. It will also encourage governments, civil society organisations and regional networks to champion the use and contextual adaptation of the course.

Languages

Arabic, English, French and Spanish

Programme

13:30–13:40: Opening Remarks

Moderator: Ms Samah Shalaby, Programme Specialist, UIL

• Ms Isabell Kempf, Director, UIL
• N.N., Huawei (tbc)

13:40–14:35

Panel session: Empowering literacy educators in the digital age: Regional and national perspectives (3 rounds)

Moderator: Ms Madina Bolly, Senior Programme Specialist, UIL

Speakers:

• Mr John Edeh Onimisi, Director of Literacy and Development, National Mass Education Commission (NMEC), Nigeria
• Mr Lazare Golo, Directeur de l'Alphabétisation et de laPromotion des langues nationales, Ministère de l'Education nationale et de la Promotion Civique, Tchad
• Mr Rajiv Kumar Singh, Director (Academic), National Institute for Open Schooling, India
• Mr Batjargal Batkhuyag, Capacity Support and Advocacy Adviser (CSAA), ASPBAE – Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education
• Mr Mauricio Velasco, Regional Project Coordinator, DVV International (Latin America)
• ANLCA Representative, Kingdom of Morocco (TBC)

Panel synthesis: Ms Rakhat Zholdoshalieva, Team Leader, UIL

14:35- 15:00: Course overview and launch

Ms Annapurna Ayyappan, Programme Specialist, UIL

Testimonial:

• Ms Blessing Anyikwa, Professor, Adult Basic Education, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Supported by HUAWEI

English / french

In this webinar, two authors from Issue 3 will reflect on their articles, exploring intergenerational learning and entrepreneurial pathways for older adults through experiences from Kenya and Botswana.

Presenters: Rebecca Lekoko and Salome Olesi Terah

Date: 12 February 2026

Time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)

Join us for this webinar, where our MOJA Journal contributors will share insights on their articles: ‘Urban agriculture: A silent revolution’ and ‘From a quest for well-being to an entrepreneurial passion: My saffron learning journey’

• Presenters: Abdelhakim Zidi and Keltouma Adouane
• Date: 4 December 2025
• time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)

English/French