EFA FTI had a successful Board of Directors meeting in Kigali in May – the opening ceremonies and presentation by our host country, Rwanda, set a positive tone and established a focus on the real business of schooling. Overall, there was a broad consensus on what the FTI is aiming for, and also room beyond that in which to work. I found it exhilarating that the Board devoted so much time to issues of substance: mother tongue instruction, teacher quality, the time teachers spend in the classroom, and a host of other topics. Papers on fragile states, girls' education, learning outcomes, and the results framework provided a basis for meaningful dialogue on issues that will define the FTI partnership for years to come.
As the Board meetings came to a successful conclusion I think there was a universally shared sense of satisfaction about the quality and relevance of the discussions. It was gratifying to see the new Board taking over seamlessly from the previous steering committee and Trust Fund Committees, and to see the clear mandate to move forward on the replenishment campaign, quality, on access, on girls’ education, and on increasing the focus on results, including in our approach to financing.
One decision that received strong support was to “rebrand” the FTI. We look forward to a new identity for this partnership that more clearly links us to our core values of children, learning, education, and partnership.
Since the conclusion of the Board meeting, steady progress has been made to lay the foundations for the new policy directions, the replenishment and the rebranding; we will be reporting back to you on this over the coming weeks and months. The FTI partnership under any name has exciting times ahead, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that all children get the chances in life that they deserve.
I also want to extend my thanks to everyone for their hard work leading to up to and at the Board meetings in Kigali and to thank you in advance for your willingness to tackle the challenges ahead.
Read more blogs about Rwanda:
- Greater voices: From the classroom to the boardroom by Michelle Mesen and Tal Sagorsky
- From Rwanda with hope by Bob Prouty
- Stories of progress through education in Rwanda, as told by its people by Michael McDowell
Learn more about EFA FTI Board Meeting in Rwanda:
- View presentations and read key decisions from the EFA FTI Board of Directors' Meeting and the Financial Advisory Committee Meeting in Rwanda
- Learn more about EFA FTI new governance structure and its new Charter
- Explore EFA FTI's 3 new policy priorities:
Press release:
- FTI Board Meeting In Rwanda Discusses New Proposals on Fragile States, Girls' Education, and Learning (May 17, 2011)
