December 2014: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is hosting an online consultation on education, sustainability and the post-2015 development agenda. The consultation aims to gather views on the role of education in sustainable development, and the content and shape of the 2016 Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report (GFR).

Since 2002, the EFA GMR has monitored progress towards the EFA goals and the two education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A final report on EFA achievements and challenges will be released in April 2015. Beginning in 2016, a series of reports will monitor progress on education—or the lack thereof—within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as issues of aid, finance and governance related to post-2015 education priorities. The GMR Advisory Board selected the theme, ‘Education, sustainability and the post-2015 development agenda’ for the 2016 report, which is expected to establish a monitoring framework and discuss financing challenges.

According to a concept note, the 2016 report will “describe the initial situation in 2015 in order to set the baseline for future research and policy analysis.” It is expected to place emphasis on: concepts of education for and within sustainable development; a lifelong learning approach; universality; and linkages between education and sustainable development. Possible themes under consideration for the report include: agriculture, food security and improved nutrition; healthy children, healthy lives; gender equality and empowerment; urban development and infrastructure, including information and communications technology (ICT); and peaceful and inclusive societies with a focus on human rights.

The online consultation will run through 28 January 2015. [Consultation Website] [EFA GMR Website] [2016 Report Concept Note]