Convening of Workshop on the ACDEG Strategy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire - August 2022
From 12 to 14 August 2022, a workshop was convened in Abidjan on the “Validation of the AU Strategy for the Inclusion of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) in School Curricula.” The initiative formed part of the African Union’s broader efforts to promote democracy, good governance, the rule of law, and human rights through education, in line with ACDEG and Agenda 2063.
The workshop focused on the development of a long-term strategy and roadmap for integrating ACDEG values into educational institutions across Africa. The project was structured around six phases: feasibility studies, development of the ACDEG strategy and curriculum, design of an implementation roadmap, pilot implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and expansion to Member States.
The meeting gathered representatives from the African Union Commission, RECs and RMs, curriculum development institutions, and experts involved in the drafting process. Discussions validated the strategy, pedagogical tools, and action plan for integrating ACDEG values into school curricula and teacher training programmes. ECES provided financial, administrative, and technical support to the organisation of the meeting and contributed to strengthening election-related and civic education components within the teachers’ training manual.
Expert Meeting for the Development of Materials for the Pilot Phase - Dakar, Senegal - May 2023
From 2 to 7 May 2023, an expert meeting took place in Dakar, Senegal, to prepare materials for the implementation of the pilot phase of the AU Strategy for the inclusion and mainstreaming of ACDEG in school curricula.
The meeting brought together members of the Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology (STC-EST), staff from the Directorate for Governance and Conflict Prevention, and education experts. The main outcome was the completion of the remaining learners’ manuals and teachers’ guides for each educational level, designed to support the integration of democratic values and civic education into African education systems.
Experts Meeting for the Alignment of Teachers’ Guides and Learners’ Manuals - Nairobi, Kenya - July 2023
From 4 to 8 July 2023, experts met in Nairobi, Kenya, to align and harmonise the Teachers’ Guides and Learners’ Manuals before their official presentation.
The process included individual reviews, peer-review sessions, plenary validation, and consultations with illustrators responsible for the visual development of the materials. The meeting was attended by representatives from the African Union Commission, education experts, and ECES staff, and marked an important step toward finalising the pedagogical tools for implementation.
Member States Brainstorming Session on ACDEG Educational Materials - Maputo, Mozambique - December 2023
From 4 to 6 December 2023, a brainstorming session was organised in Maputo, Mozambique, bringing together AU Member States, experts, RECs, and AU institutions.
The meeting focused on reviewing the existing ACDEG pedagogical materials and discussing the next steps for the implementation of the pilot phase in selected countries. Participants exchanged views on implementation strategies and reinforced cooperation on civic education and democratic governance initiatives.
Experts Meeting for the Finalisation of the Learners’ Manuals - Accra, Ghana - February 2024
From 20 to 24 February 2024, a Steering Committee composed of six experts met in Accra, Ghana, to finalise the Learners’ Manuals for the implementation of the ACDEG pilot phase.
The meeting focused on reviewing and harmonising the manuals and formulating recommendations for their improvement prior to their implementation in pilot countries during 2024.
Experts Meeting for the Finalisation of the Learners’ Manuals - Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire - June 2024
From 19 to 22 June 2024, a follow-up expert meeting was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to continue the review and harmonisation of the Learners’ Manuals.
The meeting gathered the Steering Committee designated during the previous sessions and aimed to finalise the pedagogical materials required for implementation in pilot countries.
Technical Workshop on ACDEG Integration into School Curricula - Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire - December 2024
From 2 to 4 December 2024, a technical workshop was organised in Abidjan to discuss the implementation of the pilot phase for integrating the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance into Côte d’Ivoire’s school curricula.
The workshop was organised by the African Union with the support of ECES under the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It brought together approximately 50 participants, including experts from different African countries and representatives of Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Education.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Ms. Joséphine-Charlotte Mayuma Kala, Special Representative and Head of the African Union Liaison Office in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Minister of National Education and Literacy.
Launch of the ACDEG Pilot Phase - Guinea-Bissau - January 2025
From 13 to 16 January 2025, the pilot phase of the African Union project on the inclusion and mainstreaming of ACDEG into school curricula was officially launched in Guinea-Bissau.
The activity was organised by the African Union with the support of ECES under the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The opening ceremony included remarks by Sylvestre Somo on behalf of ECES, H.E. Ovídio Barbosa Pequeno, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union in Guinea-Bissau, and Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of ECES. The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Herry Mané, Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research of Guinea-Bissau.
The technical workshop gathered around 50 participants, including AU representatives, government officials, education stakeholders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and development partners, with the objective of launching the pilot phase and defining a roadmap for implementation within the national education system.
Regional Meeting on ACDEG Mainstreaming in School Curricula - Cotonou, Benin – 2025
Within the framework of the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, ECES supported the African Union in organising a high-level regional meeting in Cotonou, Benin, aimed at advancing the pilot phase of the inclusion and mainstreaming of ACDEG into school curricula in West Africa.
Supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the meeting brought together representatives of national institutions, the African Union, partner organisations, and stakeholders from the education sector and diplomatic community.
The meeting provided an opportunity to present progress achieved, exchange perspectives, and strengthen collaboration among participating countries on the integration of democratic values and civic education into national education systems.
Workshop on the Integration of ACDEG Themes into National Curricula - Guinea-Bissau - July 2025
From 28 to 31 July 2025, a workshop was organised in Guinea-Bissau to support the integration of themes related to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance into the country’s national school curricula.
Implemented within the framework of ECES’ Pro-Electoral Integrity project in partnership with the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS), and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the workshop brought together AU experts, regional specialists, and national stakeholders from the education and governance sectors.
The activity aimed to identify key themes related to democracy and good citizenship for integration into national curricula and to develop a country-specific implementation document. The workshop also contributed to preparing future training activities and the development of pedagogical materials for schools across Guinea-Bissau.