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Building Futures in Crisis: The UNESCO-AICS Initiative for Sudanese Youth
On June 20, 2024, UNESCO, represented by Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan/Liaison Office for the League of Arab States, the Italian Ambassador to Sudan, H.E. Michele Tommasi and the Director of the Italian Agency of Development Cooperation (AICS) Khartoum, Michele Morana, signed the Technical Agreement for the three-year initiative SUD-INCA: INVEST IN CAPABILITY IN SUDAN. A joint agreement aimed at empowering Sudanese youth by supporting employability, particularly for girls and disadvantaged groups such as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people with disabilities, in the fields of Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Agri-TVET). The 3-million-euro project, funded by AICS, will focus on Red Sea states and Kassala, aiming to equip these groups with relevant skills for better employment and livelihood opportunities.
H.E. Michele Tommasi, the Italian Ambassador to Sudan, remarked, "We are delighted to support this project. It represents a significant step towards empowering Sudanese youth and fostering sustainable development in the region. By investing in education and vocational training, we are contributing to a brighter future for Sudan."
Amidst the current conflict in Sudan, where a war is unfolding, it is imperative to prioritize education. Competing priorities in conflict-ravaged states often leave education and employability behind in favor of immediate returns, which perpetuates the cycle of violence. This project stands as a testament to the commitment to breaking this cycle and ensuring that education remains a beacon of hope and a pathway to a better future for all Sudanese youth.
During the following three years, the project's core objective is to ensure inclusivity, particularly for youth, girls, IDPs, and people with disabilities. Dedicated activities will promote the enrollment of these groups and ensure curricula and pedagogical measures address their specific needs. This includes raising awareness about career opportunities and facilitating employability through mentoring initiatives.
"In a protracted crisis like the one we are witnessing in Sudan, it is of utmost importance to support the young generation in developing professional skills and providing specialized training in high-demand fields to start income-generating activities, thereby stimulating local economies,” continues Morana, Head of the AICS Khartoum Office.
Dr. Nuria Sanz stated: “UNESCO is recognized as the leading UN agency in TVET, and it has a proven track record of successfully managing projects in Sudan.” Through the CapED program, 91鶹Ʒ enhanced the organizational capacities and quality of TVET provision in Sudan since 2016. Evidence-based interventions, guided by the Sudan TVET Policy Review, have helped design strategic plans to address systemic issues and promote sustainable, inclusive growth. UNESCO's innovative vocational training and commitment to gender equality are crucial for empowering youth and women, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring food security in a country where over .
The initiative will build on UNESCO’s existing partnerships with crucial TVET stakeholders, including local education authorities, the private sector, and various national and international partners. The project will provide infrastructural support, capacity development, and supply equipment and tools to the Port Sudan Technical School in Red Sea State and the Technology Transfer and Extension Centre in Kassala. Introducing vocational training courses aligned with eight pre-identified trades will address the skills gap among youth, focusing on gender inclusion, people with disabilities, and crisis responsiveness. Establishing two new model TVET centers in the Red Sea and Kassala states will serve as centers of excellence, equipping learners with the necessary skills required by local labor markets.
By fostering an inclusive and innovative approach to education and employment, this UNESCO-AICS project marks a significant step towards achieving sustainable development in Sudan, while the conflict remains.
