Working Group on Non-Formal Education

WGNFE supports national sponsoring institutions or "Country Working Groups" (CWGs), comprising representatives of the public sector, private sector, NGOs active in NFE, educational institutions, local agencies.

These country structures:

• sensitise decision-makers on the complementarity of the formal and non-formal sectors

• encourage dialogue on the policy and practice of providing non-formal activities

• foster a global view on the role NFE can play at a national level.

• clarify the comparative advantages of NFE (through conceptual and theoretical work)

• locate NFE within the broader sphere of general provision of education and training opportunities

• foster in-country meetings among stakeholders as well as local, national, sub-regional training workshops (collaborative forum on key issues).

Country Working Groups (CWGs)

Country Working Groups (CWGs) take charge of non-formal education in whatever form it takes within particular national contexts. The nature of the CWG is what matters, not its source. CWGs are neither government agencies nor inter-NGO co-ordination bodies. They do not embody a tutelary relationship between government and NGOs but rather a partnership between the State and civil society. It is only at this level that priorities and activities are defined. There has to be ownership on the basis of national needs and of what one has control over at national level.

Expectations:

• Define priorities and strategies themselves, according to the resources they can harness. One must not artificially create projects and programmes that depend on outside assistance.

• Be selective as to objectives and fields in which CWGs can co-operate with each other.

• Use resources rationally and efficiently.

• Use existing institutions in Africa.

Internationally:

• Help CWGs carry out their programmes.

• Increase African co-operation in the execution of programmes.

• Avoid substituting responsibilities.

Co-operation between countries:

• Move beyond an artificial approach

• First exchange information about what is being done, and on this basis organize exchanges

• Priorities must take account of existing possibilities at national and African levels.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with the WGNFE, please contact us at alpha@fasonet.bf    top