Shaping the Future Mediterranean: Education, Technical and Vocational Training for Sustainable Development

On the occasion of the 7^th edition of the “ROME MED – Mediterranean Dialogues”, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI/DCGS), ISPI and CIHEAM Bari, in partnership with Save the Children, will organize the “Cooperation Forum”, focused on the importance of education, technical and vocational training for sustainable development in the Mediterranean Region.

Education is a human right and a driver for sustainable development.  Young people are agents of peace, capable of preventing conflict, fostering sustainable development, and enacting tangible change within their communities. However, this potential can only be realised if they benefit from quality learning pathways from early childhood to adolescence. Higher education, capacity building and lifelong training are also key element to boost socio-economic growth and jobs. In order to foster a more equitable transition to a climate-resilient society, urgent action is needed, alongside increased investments in people’s skills. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and adult learning are essential in developing the skills of adolescents, youth, and adults in green and sustainable technologies and processes.

This is particularly true for the Mediterranean, where creating green jobs and increasing sustainable productivity are key challenges, along with the need to improve the performance of the labour market. The area is experiencing a rapid demographic change which often translates into huge loss of human capital. Long-term political stability in the Mediterranean arises from supporting human capital development for social and economic growth, and this is linked to securing quality inclusive. Policies and programmes targeting the capacities of all societal actors are an essential component for the sustainable growth of the region, including in post-emergencies or protracted crises contexts, where vocational training is a booster for resilience.

The aim of the Forum is to discuss current challenges for education and technical and vocational training in the Mediterranean, to share best practices, and jointly identify potential solutions for development cooperation initiatives aimed at supporting effective policy making in the sector and contributing to ensuring universal access to free quality inclusive education for all.

AGENDA

11.00 – 11.20 CET | OPENING

 Marina Sereni, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy

Antonio Villafranca, Director of Studies, ISPI, Italy

Maurizio Raeli, Director CIHEAM Bari

Daniela Fatarella, CEO, Save the Children, Italy

 11.20 – 12.10 CET | PANEL SESSION

 Matt Brossard, Chief of Education, Office of Research, UNICEF

Nesreen Qutainah, Dora Primary School for Girls, Palestine – Finalist 2021 World Teacher Award

Elsy Wakil, Board Member for Middle East, Global Campaign for Education

Hamid El Zoheiry, President, Euro-Mediterranean University

Angelo Riccaboni, President, PRIMA Initiative

12.10 – 12.25 CET | Q&A SESSION

12.25 – 12.30 CET | CONCLUSIONS

Giorgio Marrapodi, General Director of Development Cooperation, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Chair: Nick Difino, Food Innovation and Communication trainer