From 2 to 4 December 2024, a technical workshop was organised in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to advance discussions on the implementation of the pilot phase for integrating the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance into the national school curricula.

The workshop was organised by the African Union with the support of ECES through the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event brought together around 50 participants, including experts from several African countries, education specialists, representatives of national institutions, and officials from Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Education.

The initiative provided a valuable forum for technical exchanges on how democratic governance, civic responsibility, constitutional values, and citizen participation can be incorporated into educational programmes in a sustainable and context-sensitive manner. Participants discussed both strategic and operational aspects of the pilot phase, including curriculum development, pedagogical approaches, institutional coordination, and the long-term promotion of democratic culture through 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, alongside a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Minister of National Education and Literacy. Their interventions highlighted the importance of education as a cornerstone for fostering active citizenship, democratic resilience, and greater awareness of the principles enshrined in ACDEG among younger generations.

The workshop also contributed to strengthening collaboration between the African Union, national authorities, and regional experts, while laying the foundations for future activities linked to the development of educational tools, teacher training, and the broader implementation of civic and democratic education initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire.