Why should Dakar succeed where Jomtien failed?
Good question! Firstly, the climate has changed. The international community has become more determined. During the 1990s, education was finally acknowledged as a right and its importance for social and economic development stressed, civil society began to play a more active role and non-governmental organizations became more outspoken. A momentum was thus created. This momentum must now be nurtured and transformed into political will and action on the ground. Secondly, Dakar addressed the issue of funding and pledged that “no country seriously committed to basic education will be thwarted in the achievement of this goal by lack of resources”. Resource mobilization and management are now at the heart of the education debate and a global initiative is being developed to provide a framework for co-operation between countries and development and donor agencies. Thirdly, the notion of accountability built into the Dakar Framework for Action is another encouraging factor. The EFA Observator
