Honourable Mrs Leela Devi Dookun Lutchoomun, Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research;

Mr Gilbert Gauthier, President, Terrain for Interactive Pedagogy through Arts (TIPA);

Mrs Angelique de Hogue, Programme Manager at TIPA;

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,

Good morning,

I feel honoured to be with you today for the launching of the 2016 – 2020 Programme Plan of the Association TIPA, which stands for Terrain for Interactive Pedagogy through Arts. The name is very appealing as it focuses on education through an artistic approach. I wish to thank TIPA for their invitation and at the same time congratulate you for this creative initiative.

I am pleased to inform you that our Decentralised Cooperation Programme has awarded a grant worth MUR 850,000 to TIPA in November 2015 to empower the vulnerable children in areas of child development, interactive pedagogy and artistic education. This project will provide training to some 300 vulnerable children in regions identified as pockets of poverty and empower 20 educators working for the development of vulnerable children, over the next 12 months. This will contribute to the rise of active, responsible, creative and critical citizens that are able to participate in the development of their regions and the society as a whole. Education and training play an essential role in reducing poverty and in development.

Education is the best investment against exclusion and inequality, and contributes to national cohesion. It provides essential skills and the tools to actively participate in society. It is through education that you can have a better workforce in order to fight poverty. The European Union development policy - Agenda for Change - aims above all to eradicate poverty through a sustainable approach. We recognise the growing role of Civil society Organisations including Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in addressing poverty. They are usually close to local communities and can help donors to respond to people’s needs. Hence, they increasingly take on more responsibility in shaping strategies and programming. They can also help improving local ownership.

This explains our commitment to supporting TIPA in their actions to favour the development of life skills of vulnerable children and competencies related to citizenship values. Through your interventions, the local community workers will be empowered to improve their action in the fields. This is crucial as they need effective and appropriate tools that can be adjusted to the specificity of the field. Indeed, this project will also promote Sustainable Development Goal #4 which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Exclusion and poverty come, very often, together. Less fortunate citizens are more vulnerable victims of any type of exclusion. This reality needs to be tackled with energy and this project in particular is a strong contribution to this praiseworthy fight. We should all play our part in creating this inclusive society, where all people are treated equally, with dignity and have the same opportunities and rights. I am sure that your Action Plan 2016 – 2020 will aim at promoting an inclusive society.

I hope that together we can make this happen in the Republic of Mauritius.

I thank you for your kind attention.