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 represented a significant milestone in the development of a continental framework aimed at embedding democratic values and civic responsibility within African education systems. Discussions focused on the elaboration and validation of a long-term strategy and implementation roadmap designed to facilitate the systematic integration of ACDEG principles into school curricula, teacher training programmes, and educational policies across AU Member States. Participants also examined how education systems could contribute more effectively to fostering democratic culture, active citizenship, peaceful political participation, and respect for constitutional order among younger generations.
The project was structured around six interconnected phases, beginning with feasibility studies and consultations with Member States, followed by the development of the ACDEG strategy and curriculum framework, the design of an implementation roadmap, pilot implementation activities, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the eventual expansion and institutionalisation of the initiative at continental level. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that the strategy remained adaptable to the diversity of educational systems and socio-political contexts across Africa while maintaining coherence with AU normative frameworks.
The meeting brought together representatives from the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), curriculum development institutions, civic education specialists, and experts involved in the drafting and technical review process. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in detailed discussions on the content, methodology, and pedagogical orientation of the proposed materials, including the incorporation of participatory learning methods and election-related civic education components.
The workshop concluded with the validation of the overall strategy, the pedagogical tools, and the accompanying action plan for the integration of ACDEG values into school curricula and teacher training programmes. ECES , through the Pro-Electoral Integrity Project, provided financial, administrative, and technical support to the organisation of the meeting and played an active role in strengthening the civic and electoral education dimensions of the teachers’ training manual, contributing to the development of educational tools aimed at fostering democratic awareness and citizen engagement among future generations across the continent.