The Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), Joseph Munda Bindi, alongside his team, has officially welcomed Mr. Kuany Kirr Kuany, Programme Specialist for the Education Sector at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, for a high-level strategic meeting.The discussions, held in Freetown, centered on strengthening partnerships and advancing the civic education agenda in Sierra Leone, with a strong focus on the critical role of education in sustaining peace and national cohesion.
In his welcoming address, Chairman Bindi underscored that global peace remains the bedrock of international stability, noting that many nations have experienced the devastating consequences of conflict. Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s own history, he referenced the 11-year civil war, emphasizing that the post-conflict period represents a crucial opportunity for all development partners.
“This is a pivotal moment for all stakeholders in peace and development,” Chairman Bindi stated. “We are all critical players in fostering a culture of peace and national unity.”
Providing an overview of NaCCED’s progress, Chairman Bindi noted that the council’s work extends beyond strategic frameworks. “We are committed to ensuring that civic education thrives not only in policy documents but in the very minds of patriotic citizens and within the walls of our classrooms,” he said. He further stressed that education and peace are interwoven pillars of civic development, which is why NaCCED has made it a core responsibility to develop robust curricula for both formal and informal education systems.
Mr. Kuany Kirr Kuany acknowledged that the current engagement is not the first collaboration between UNESCO and NaCCED. He revealed that groundwork for this partnership began in 2023, following an official request from the Government of Sierra Leone for UNESCO’s technical assistance in civic education.”UNESCO is prepared to provide substantial technical support to guide the processes needed for effective program delivery,” Kuany stated.
He also highlighted that UNESCO has facilitated learning exchanges with other nations, such as Poland, where Sierra Leone’s Director of Curriculum Development and Training, Mr. Alphan Tajawie, benefited from shared best practices. Kuany further emphasized that since the mandates of NaCCED, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) are closely interwoven, establishing a clear policy foundation and framework is vital for ensuring seamless implementation and better outcomes.
Echoing these sentiments, Director Curriculum Development and Training, Alphan Tajawie noted that civic education is one of the most relevant areas for collaboration at this point in Sierra Leone’s development journey. “Now, more than ever, partnerships like this are essential,” he remarkedOther members of the NaCCED team also contributed to the discussions, providing updates on the council’s mandate and achievements since its establishment in 2018.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to deepen collaboration. Key documents, including the national curriculum framework, were shared with Mr. Kuany for review. Following his visit, UNESCO, in consultation with MoICE and MBSSE, will outline the next steps and finalize a roadmap for technical and policy support.
