President Sahle-Work stresses need to utilize Africa’s indigenous Knowledge for a just, equitable global order

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2024 (FBC) – A three-day (30 September-02 October 2024) International Forum of UNESCO Chairs and Partners convened by the African Union Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the patronage of Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

In her opening speech, President Sahle-Work Zewde emphasized the significance of utilizing Africa’s indigenous knowledge, which has the power to inspire global solidarity and contribute to the creation of a just and equitable global system. The President also highlighted that drawing on Africa’s rich repository of knowledge such as music, literature, and art, can help to effectively challenge stereotypes about the continent.

The forum is part of the work of the International Commission on the Futures of Education, established by UNESCO in 2019 and chaired by President Sahle-Work Zewde. The Commission has been working to foster global solidarity and international cooperation in education through its flagship dialogues and reports, such as the 2021 guiding report titled “Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education.” This important report has been translated into over 15 languages, including Amharic and Kiswahili for a contextualized policy use.

It aims to strengthen interdisciplinary and collaborative research capacity across Africa, focusing on promoting knowledge-driven sustainable development and fostering more inclusive South-South and South-South-North research partnerships.