Led by Secretary-General Katarina Popović, the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) made a strong impact at the Global Education Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil, from October 30 to November 1, 2024. Through two key sessions and a side event, ICAE showed its commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable education for adults, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): quality education for all.
Promoting Inclusion and Equity in Education
In its main session on adult literacy and lifelong learning, co-hosted with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, ICAE stressed the need for literacy programs that reach adult learners, especially in underserved areas. Katarina Popović emphasized ICAE’s goal to reduce education inequality by building systems for lifelong learning. Her input highlighted the critical role of adult education in economic development and equitable learning opportunities.
Building Resilient Education Systems
In another session, ICAE focused on building resilient education systems through partnerships. Popović joined ministers, experts, and activists to discuss the importance of cooperation across areas like climate resilience, gender equality, and digital innovation. ICAE pushed for adaptable education systems that give learners the skills needed for today’s challenges.
Innovative Funding for Education
At a side event, ICAE explored new ways to fund education. Popović shared ICAE’s ideas on sustainable funding, including tax reforms and diverse investments to support adult education. She highlighted ICAE’s view that fair education funding is essential for achieving SDG 4.
ICAE’s Commitment to the Fortaleza Declaration
The conference ended with the Fortaleza Declaration, a pledge for cooperation to promote global education equity. ICAE’s presence at the conference reinforced its role as a global leader in adult education, dedicated to accessible, high-quality learning and sustainable development.
Katarina Popović’s leadership at this event reflected ICAE’s mission to empower adults worldwide, promote inclusive education policies, and advocate for a fair, inclusive future for all learners.
GEM 2204
The 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM) in Fortaleza, Brazil, gathered education stakeholders to assess progress on SDG 4, emphasizing equity and inclusion. Hosted by UNESCO and aligned with the Brazilian G20 presidency, the event included sessions on innovative financing, cross-sector partnerships, and strategies for accelerating SDG 4 progress, culminating in the Fortaleza Declaration. This declaration calls for urgent action to address the global education crisis, with only six years left to achieve SDG 4.
For further details, visit UNESCO’s GEM page.
