Policy Dialogue Forum
Organized since 2010 by the Teacher Task Force, the Policy Dialogue Forum aims to raise awareness among members and partners of the TTF on crucial issues for the implementation of the Teacher Target in SDG 4 and Education 2030 agenda. The Forum seeks to have an impact on country policies, reflections and debates. It promotes participatory approaches, dialogue and exchanges of experience in evidence-based teacher policy formulation and implementation.
Through the Forum, the TTF offers a platform for education actors and teacher stakeholders (including policy makers, teachers, representatives from teacher organizations, civil society organizations, researchers, the UN and other international organizations, private sector organizations and foundations) to delve into what it takes to teach and educate children, youth and adults, and reaffirm the relevance of education as an equalizing factor in society. In bringing multiple stakeholders together, the Forum fosters a more effective and focused exchange of knowledge and experiences, and creates a unique opportunity to build alliances for advocacy and resource mobilization.
The Forum offers a unique opportunity to address the efforts of the Members to approach teacher-related matters in different regions and socioeconomic contexts.
The Policy Dialogue Forum is one of the flagship activities in the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. Following a review process in the 2018-2021 period, the Forum will be organized on a biennial cycle.
14th Policy Dialogue Forum
The 14th Policy Dialogue Forum was held from 26-28 February 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Co-hosted by the Teacher Task Force and the Ministry of Basic Education of the Republic of South Africa, the Forum focused on the theme ‘Addressing global teacher shortages: Dignifying, diversifying and valorizing the profession’. It brought together over 400 participants from across the globe, including policymakers, educators and education stakeholders, to discuss common challenges causing teacher shortages, effective policy solutions, and future transformative strategies to elevate the status of teaching profession.
Central to the Forum’s agenda was the official launch of the first Teacher Task Force & UNESCO Global Report on Teachers - Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession. Highlighting a need for 44 million additional teachers by 2030 to achieve universal primary and secondary education, the Report emphasizes the urgency of the challenge and offers actionable, data-driven solutions. Watch the launch of the Global Report on Teachers here.
The Forum also featured the launch of the Recommendations of the UNSG High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, which presents a roadmap for transforming the teaching profession and meeting the needs of the future, aligned with the Global Report on Teachers.
Following remarks by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Paul Mashatile, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed, South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education, H.E. Ms. Matsie Angelina Motshekga, and UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, Ms. Stefania Giannini, the programme featured a ministerial panel with distinguished speakers from South Africa, China, Ecuador, Ghana, and Finland, and the African Union. The discussion focused on strategies for dignifying, diversifying, and valorizing the teaching profession.
Over three days of plenary and breakout sessions, the Forum facilitated networking and side events among leading global figures in education and teacher policy. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and promoting international cooperation to tackle global teacher shortages and enhance the appeal of the teaching profession, the Forum emerged as an important event, showcasing South Africa's pivotal role in the region.
Watch the Forum wrap-up video:
- Consult the event page for the 14th Policy Dialogue Forum
- Consult the programme for the event
- Replay the opening and closing ceremonies, and the plenary sessions
- Consult the full resource pack from the Forum
- Read the Global Report on Teachers - Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession
- Read the Recommendations from the UN Sectretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession
- Read the event concept note
