PURPOSES: Today, with all fifty-four countries in Africa becoming independent, in addition in celebrating the creation of the African Union, Africa Day has become an occasion to celebrate the wonderful and diverse cultures of Africa, including its music, art, fashions, unique fabric designs, dance, cuisines, its sporting accomplishments, and technological advancement.
FORUM: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” Africa Day 2024. Education is the foundation for individual success and a prosperous Africa. We call upon all stakeholders across all sectors to join us in this transformative journey. Join us in celebrating Africa Day and shaping the future of education in Africa! In line with the AU theme of the year "Education Fit for the 21st Century," engage in discussions, share your ideas, and help us transform education across all our social media platform. Here's how you can participate: Share your thoughts and ideas on how education can be transformed to meet the needs of the 21st century; To Highlight educational initiatives and programs that are making a difference in your community or country. To Discuss the importance of education in driving socio-economic development and creating opportunities for all Africans. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: 25May, #AfricaDay, #YearofEducation, #Agenda2063.
EVENTS: Celebrations at the United Nations. The theme for Africa Day 2024 will focus on women in agriculture. The objectives are to Explore the intersection between women's rights and agriculture; to Showcase the potential and promise of Africa, and highlight the positive narrative of the continent; To Recognize developments and advancements in Africa from 1963 to the present; To Inspire and empower women in leadership in agriculture, as well as related sectors; To Bring attention to and popularize the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal 2 (Zero Hunger), the goal 5 (Gender Equality) and the goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), in tandem with Africa Agenda 2063; To Create and formulate solutions, initiatives and opportunities for achieving a better, more equitable world, where no one is left behind. On Saturday 25th May 2024; starting at 17:00hrs (GMT+3) at Adwa Victory Memorial, Addis Ababa; The Maisha Dance festival entitled "The Power of Art to Unite," will celebrate the vibrant cultures of Africa and the European Union through the universal language of dance. This event is a unique opportunity to honor Africa Day and highlight the shared values of unity, diversity, and cultural exchange. Read the festival information! On February 17, 2024, the UNESCO was invited to the official launch of the AU's 2024 theme in Addis Ababa, during the Heads of State and Government Summit.
STATEMENT: “On Africa Day, we celebrate this dynamic and diverse continent and the contributions of Africans to our world. Throughout, Africa must have a seat at every multilateral forum — including the UN Security Council, the international financial system, and other global norm-setting structures. September’s Summit of the Future in New York will be a moment to create momentum and progress. On Africa Day, let’s renew our pledge to stand with all Africans in their quest to lead their continent — and our world — into a peaceful and prosperous future for all.” Read the full Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the occasion of Africa Day 2024, May 25th.
PODCASTS: The Organisation of African Unity (OUA) was an intergovernmental organization established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with 33 signatory governments. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Participate to the campaign “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa” and Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The AU Theme of the Year for 2024 is proposed to be Education, following a global Summit on Transforming Education convened by the United Nations Secretary-General in September 2022. The urgency stems from the global education crisis and the off-track progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4. Africa faces significant challenges in achieving SDG4, leading to the organization of an AU High-level side event in New York. The event resulted in a draft declaration, reviewed and adopted by the Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science, and Technology. The High-level side event included participation from African leaders, United Nations representatives, and partners who emphasized the need for collective commitment to address education challenges. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC, proposed that Education be the AU Theme of the Year 2024, a proposal widely supported. The final declaration, unanimously adopted, reaffirms commitments to continental education strategies and SDG4. The proposal is set for consideration and adoption in the 36th ordinary session of the Assembly summit in February 2023. A snapshot of the education sector in Africa indicates efforts and progress in ensuring access, completion, and quality of education, with a focus on reducing out-of-school children and improving literacy rates.
The Africa Day is co-hosted by the UNESCO, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser for Africa (UNOSSA), the African Union Mission to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Tunisia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Togo to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations, thePermanent Mission of the Republic of the Sudan to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Sudan to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Senegal to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Sao Tome and Principe to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Niger to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Namibia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mauritius to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mali to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations,
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Madagascar to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the State of Libya to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Lesotho the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Guinea to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Gabonese Republic to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cameroon to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Benin to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Angola to the United Nation, the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations…