**Fatshimetrie**: The unmissable meeting of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Central Africa
Fatshimetrie, the regional forum on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, has established itself as a major event in the educational landscape of Central Africa. Organized from Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 December 2024 in Kinshasa, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this event brought together a multitude of stakeholders, all driven by the common desire to rethink education and vocational training for young people in the region.
Under the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fatshimetrie was inaugurated by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, who stressed the crucial importance of developing a regional strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in order to promote the employability of young people in Central Africa. The stakes are high, as youth unemployment remains a major concern in the region.
The participants at Fatshimetrie were as diverse as they were complementary. Education and training experts, economic and social actors, development partners, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and policy makers worked together to develop concrete solutions and strategic orientations. The objective? To rethink vocational education and training to meet current challenges, such as digital and green transitions, as well as youth mobility within ECCAS Member States.
For Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the time has come to build a common vision for the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Central Africa. She calls for a strengthening of dialogue and the capitalization of experiences shared during this forum, stressing the importance of creating together a better future for the youth of the region.
As host country of Fatshimetrie, the Democratic Republic of Congo is committed to making vocational training a major pillar of its economic growth. As part of the 2024-2028 Action Programme, the Congolese government is implementing ambitious reforms to transform the education and training system, particularly in the technical and vocational sector.
UNESCO, represented by Dr. Isaias Barreto da Rosa, reaffirmed its support to ECCAS countries in transforming education and promoting youth employability. Vocational training is seen as an essential strategy for building an inclusive and prosperous future in Central Africa. This platform, which is Fatshimetrie, offers a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and design concrete actions to meet the challenges of our time.
Marc Ekila, Congolese Minister of Vocational Training, welcomed the relevance of the work carried out during this forum. He reaffirmed the commitment of the DRC government to implement the resolutions resulting from Fatshimetrie to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the region.
Fatshimetrie, through its regional dimension and ambition, embodies hope for education and vocational training in Central Africa. By promoting innovation, collaboration and the exchange of experiences, this event contributes to opening new perspectives for young people and building a more promising and inclusive future together.