Education programme implementing CCEM mandates and EBR promoting global citizenship education and intercultural and religious literacy Education plays a crucial role in the attainment of the sustainable development goals, particularly SDG4. The Commonwealth’s ambition, as articulated in its Strategic Plan, is for improved education outcomes in all communities and national settings, so that people of all ages and background are able to fulfil their potential with dignity and equality in a healthy environment.   To this end, the Secretariat focuses its attention in the areas of policy advocacy, capacity building, research and technical assistance as a means of supporting the development and implementation of strengthened education policies that enable member countries to realize the SDG targets in line with their national agendas. 
To advance the Secretariat’s work in policy support and advocacy, a Commonwealth Education Policy Framework (CEPF) and a Curriculum Framework for Enabling the SDGs, both endorsed by the Education Ministers Action Group (EMAG) in January 2017 have been developed. The purpose of CEPF is to support member countries in the development of policies that will ensure delivery on critical aspects of Goal 4, while the Curriculum Framework serves as support mechanism to the overarching policy framework that will assist with the development of a curriculum that supports the delivery of SDGs. A Technical and Vocational Education and Training Toolkit, tested in Fiji and Jamaica, will also be rolled-out given as a means for member countries to assess the effectiveness of their TVET systems.  Additionally, the education team will undertake work to develop ‘effective management of education systems’ and ‘early childhood education’ toolkits. 
 Over the FY 17/18, the Education Team was able to support capacity building initiatives funded by extra budgetary resources. The project, known as ‘Faith in the Commonwealth’, supports SDG4.7 which complements the principle tenets of the CEPF. This project will leverage further support to targeted member countries in strengthening citizenship education which is increasingly being considered as a much needed and important aspect of education polices. The global community’s focus on education has been transformed by new and emerging challenges such as climate change, migration and radicalisation, whilst existing challenges such as gender-based violence, crime and poor governance have not receded. In light of this, education for citizenship as well as transitioning young people into decent work have become more critical than ever before (Commonwealth Education Policy Framework, June 2017).
 This project is a collaboration between the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat. It seeks to improve understanding and respect for cultural and religious diversity and promote social cohesion and global citizenship amongst targeted countries of the Commonwealth. The project not only supports the intermediate outcome ‘strengthened sustainable policies to reduce disparities and improve health and education outcomes’ but also directly supports SDG target 4.7 - by 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. The Khalili Foundation provided funding for Phase 1 of the project (July 2017- June 2018). Judicious budget management has resulted in sufficient project funds to continue monitoring and fundraising activities to 31 December 2018.
 
The theory of change will outline how the programme activity work to be led by the Education team will support IO 3.3
 
CCEM mandates – EMAG, CADME, Commonwealth Education Policy Framework and 20CCEM mandates (to be known by Feb 2018)
Activities
Make the CEPF available to member countries
Identify regions where the CEPF will be piloted via workshop style sessions
Liaise with senior officials in targeted regions for the piloting of the CEPF in order to identify workshop dates, potential partners and other logistical arrangements
4.  Identify dates for the hosting of 1st CADME meeting to
     be held post 20CCEM   
5.  Identify participating countries of CADME meeting
 
Outputs
CEPF distributed to member countries at 20CCEM as well as to high commissions based in London
CEPF piloted and validated in at least 1 region (the African, Caribbean or Pacific)
Partners identified to support the piloting of the CEPF
1st CADME meeting post 20CCEM delivered
 
Short term outcome – Member countries progressing in the review or development of their education policies through engagement with the Commonwealth Education Policy Framework (CEPF), toolkits and other interventions 
 
Global Citizenship Education and Intercultural and Religious Literacy 
Activities
Recruit project staff - Start-up Consultant (months 1 – 3), Project Manager (months 9 – 12) and Fund raising Consultant
Develop Tertiary Citizenship Education Module
Conduct training of university instructors to deliver the Tertiary Citizenship Education Module
Identify three Commonwealth countries (one each to be selected from the African, Asian and Caribbean region) where Tertiary Citizenship Education Module will be rolled out, in consultation between Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat
Develop a Youth Training of Trainers (TOT)
Develop materials to support delivery of TOT
Engage the Commonwealth Secretariat’s programme responsible for its youth programme to deliver the TOT in three Commonwealth member countries
Outputs
Project staff appointed – Start-up Consultant, Project Manager and Fund-raising Consultant
Tertiary Citizenship Education Module developed
University instructors trained to deliver Tertiary Citizenship Education Module
Tertiary Citizenship Education Module rolled out at selected tertiary institutions in three member countries (one each to be selected from the African, Asian and Caribbean region)
Three member countries identified and contact made with relevant officials in those countries
Youth Training of Trainers developed
Materials to support delivery of TOT developed
Commonwealth Secretariat's division responsible for youth programme engaged to support delivery of the TOT in three Commonwealth member countries
 
Short-term outcome - Improved understanding and respect for diversity and promotion of social cohesion and inter/cross-cultural understanding amongst youth in target countries of the Commonwealth