Education ministers will consider the role of universities in combating climate change and building resilience, as part of discussions at the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (20CCEM) next year.
Commonwealth education ministers meet every three years, to discuss key education issues, identify areas for action, and share knowledge and good practice. The ACU is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Fiji to provide the higher education content for 20CCEM, which will take place from 19-23 February 2018, hosted by the Fijian government.
A special session with ministers from the Commonwealth's small states on universities, climate change and resilience will be held on the two-year anniversary of Tropical Cyclone Winston's landfall on Fiji. This session will be led by the University of the West Indies, the University of South Pacific, and Fiji National University, and will reflect on the experience of universities in Commonwealth small states and their critical contribution to building climate resilience.
The ACU will also lead a plenary discussion with ministers on higher education and the future of employment, and report on the status of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
Join the discussion
The ACU is also working in partnership with other Commonwealth education organisations to deliver the Integrated Partners Forum (IPF) at 20CCEM. The forum is a unique event, taking place alongside the ministerial meeting, and bringing together senior figures from the higher education sector with teachers, students, and representatives from business and civil society to discuss the conference theme: 'Sustainability and Resilience: Can Education Deliver?'.
A day of the forum programme will be dedicated to analysing sectoral issues, with the ACU leading the higher education discussions. Delegates will have the opportunity to develop and deliver a statement to ministers, and interact with ministers and senior government officials through the conference social programme. Registration for the IPF is free, and the ACU is keen to see as many members attend and lend their voice to these important discussions.