The key to achieving SDG4? Embracing a culture of listening

Foundations play a critical role in international education funding – yet their perspective is often overlooked in high-level global education discussions. To spearhead positive change and unlock the potential learning benefits for every child, no matter their background, we must maximize the potential of the sector by working together and promoting a culture of listening. But what does this look like in practice? 

Significant progress was made back in 2022 when, for the first time ever, the UN hosted a Heads of State summit focused on education – the Transforming Education Summit – during the UN General Assembly. Here, the philanthropy sector reaffirmed its commitment to supporting progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). The statement represented a crucial step forward in aligning actors around a common set of principles.  

Just over 18 months on from this statement, what change, if any, has been made?

One example of positive momentum can be found in Colombia, where the Jacobs Foundation recently launched its newest program, Colombia Evidencia Potencial en Educación (CEPE). It serves as a model of how Foundations can work alongside governments to bring public and private partners together to make a real difference in the lives of children. From its inception, a culture of listening has been at the heart of the initiative. It has brought together national education stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and educators. Formed of 3 intersecting components, it aims to integrate evidence in both policy and practice.  

The first is an Education Evidence Lab (EdLab), which brings together Colombia’s strong research institutions in a multi-stakeholder partnership to drive even greater rigor in creating, connecting, and using evidence in decision-making at all levels of the education system. CEPE is also committed to supporting Communities of Change which will work to implement evidence-based policies and practices that raise the quality of children’s education at the community level. Finally, achieving lasting change requires substantial resources. We are therefore working alongside philanthropic organizations, the Colombian government, and industry funders to create an innovative Co-Funding Mechanism that will provide the necessary financial support for both the Communities of Change and the Evidence Lab. 

Crucially, while government policies may fluctuate with changing administrations, private philanthropies often exhibit resilience. Foundations, inherently enduring entities, offer valuable experience that can facilitate progress towards the SDGs. Governmental competing priorities often limit their capacity to prioritize individual children’s education, whereas philanthropies possess the time, resources, and flexibility to effect change at various levels—local, national, and regional. By aligning the philanthropic sector's often narrow focus on specific themes or outcomes with governments’ impetus for transformative change, we can realize genuine, systemic, and enduring advancements toward equitable, quality education for all.

Achieving inclusive, sustainable, and equitable quality education is still within our grasp; governments and philanthropy just need to be united in leading to a shared agenda. Ultimately, the philanthropy sector has a significant role to play in bringing people together to create a more inclusive and equitable education system where every child is able to develop their potential. It is only by adopting an ‘open door’ approach and embracing a culture of listening that we can make a real difference in the lives of children around the world.