RCG4 WCA - Who we are
Objectives and Functions of the RCG4 WCA
The Regional Coordination Group on SDG4-Education 2030 in West and Central Africa (RCG4-WCA) supports the integration, implementation and follow-up of SDG4-Education 2030 in the West and Central Africa region, taking into account the development contexts and aspirations of each country.
The RCG4-WCA enables all major regional actors involved in the development of education in West and Central Africa to define and coordinate strategies and joint actions in advocacy, technical assistance, and capacity building, and to exchange best practices, tools, and information for more inclusive, responsive, and resilient education systems.
Its main functions are:
1. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience, expertise and information, as well as collaboration;
2. Implement joint initiatives to support the development of education in countries, in alignment with SDG4, its targets and with CESA 16‐25;
3. Support linking global-level efforts, initiatives and discussions with country-level processes, challenges and evidence at the country level;
4. Ensure coordination and cross-fertilization with other coordination mechanisms in the region and on other continents.
Structure of the RCG4 WCA
Plenary Group
The plenary group is the decision-making body of the RCG4-WCA. Its members include focal points from regional organizations responsible for education, and their principal responsibilities include:
- Actively contribute to the meetings of the plenary group of RCG4-WCA and its technical task teams, ensuring proper individual and collective follow-up as necessary;
- Contribute to the development, the implementation, the monitoring and reporting of a biannual work plan;
- Mobilize member organizations’ expertise and technical support in implementing RCG4’s work plan and other joint activities;
- Share information of interest with the plenary group and/or task teams as relevant and pertinent for the effective coordination of RCG4-WCA work in the region;
- Facilitate information sharing, communication and interaction with country teams of respective member organizations and inform the RCG4-WCA on important issues, including relevant national processes and challenges, that may concern the rest of the group;
- Inform the respective heads of agencies and relevant staff on the activities of the RCG4-WCA (reporting).
Steering Team
The Steering Team acts as the liaison between the RCG4-WCA Plenary Group and the Secretariat, giving direction to and supporting the Secretariat in the planning and implementation of RCG4-WCA activities between the plenary group meetings.
Secretariat
The UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar acts as the coordinator of the group, with the guidance and support of the Steering Team.
Task Teams
The task teams focus on important technical or thematic issues related to SDG4 and common to the concerns of the majority of member organizations. There are currently 8 task teams: Learning to Live Together (LTLT), Education Systems' Strengthening (SYSTeam), Teaching and Learning (TALENT), Gender and Inclusion in Education (GENIE), Early Childhood Education (ECED), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Higher Education, and Education in Emergencies (EiE).
