TRIENNIAL REPORT (2021-2023): CAFOR’S ENGAGEMENTS AND COLLABORATIONS

Message from the Chairperson of CAFOR – Prof. Kate Adoo-Adeku

Dear Esteemed Members and Partners,

I warmly greet each of you and express my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated individuals who have been the driving force behind CAFOR’s achievements over the past three years. Despite financial and technical constraints, the CAFOR Executive Director and staff have displayed exceptional commitment, significantly promoting education, science, technology, innovation, and youth development in Africa.

The African Union’s recognition of civil society organizations as crucial players in economic and social development aligns with CAFOR’s mission. We have actively collaborated with various agencies to implement the AU’s collective vision, focusing on education, science, technology, and youth development. CAFOR’s role as a Pan-African civil society organization has been pivotal in bridging the gap between the AU and African citizens, emphasizing communication to enhance education and youth training across the continent.

I commend the Executive Director and the entire CAFOR team at the Secretariat in Addis Ababa and beyond for their outstanding achievements during this reporting period. Despite limited resources, the organization has earned Certificates of Recognition from the AU’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, an Outstanding Diplomatic Award for Youth Development from youth-led organizations, and other notable accolades from partners such as the Africa-America Institute and the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa. Also, it entered into new agreements with several institutions of high repute during this period. And just in the past two months, CAFOR succeeded in signing two important MoUs. One with the Ashagari Charitable Organization (ACO ) that focuses on women leaders and youth in Ethiopia. This agreement would bring a new dynamism in empowering our youth within the African cultural milieu, transforming them for Africa’s development efforts. Our MoU with Tallinn University in Estonia also offers another opportunity to embark upon some research activities that serve as fruitful grounds for development endeavors on the continent.

These MoUs have come at the right time, just in tune with the AU’s declaration of 2024 as a Year of Education in Africa with our active participation. On behalf of all CAFOR members, I say a big thank you and congratulations to our indefatigable CEO, Dr. Lawalley Cole, and his Senior Advisor, Mr. Tshimanga, our Partners, and all those who worked tirelessly and quietly behind the scenes to help make what CAFOR is today.

Download the CAFOR Triennial Report_2021_2023