Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Acronyms
Executive Summary
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Introduction
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ERP Background and Rationale
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The purpose of ERP
A partnership
What do we mean by rural?
Rural people are still a (neglected) majority in less developed regions
Rural people are the majority of the world’s poor
Why focus on education for rural people?
Message of UN Secretary-General on EFA - 25 September 2008

Challenges and Responses
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Introduction
Challenge 1: Access to education and training
Challenge 2: Quality of education and training
Challenge 3: Decentralization and community involvement
Challenge 4: Gender-responsive learning environments
Challenge 5: Organizational and institutional effi ciency
Challenge 6: Accommodating non-traditional learners
Challenge 7: Redefi ning agricultural education
Challenge 8: Skills training for rural people
Challenge 9: Recruitment and retention of extension and school staff
Challenge 10: Effective pro-rural policies

The ERP Partnership
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ERP Partnership resources
Research and knowledge management and sharing
Policy dialogue and capacity development
Reasons for success
The ERP Partnership way forward

Conclusions and Key Policy Considerations
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Conclusions and key policy considerations reached in this book
Final Communiqué of the Fifth Meeting of the High-Level Group on EFA

Photo Credits
References
Selected Publications on ERP
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Abstract

This book was developed to assist policy makers dealing with rural poverty, food insecurity and education challenges confronting rural people. It seeks to address the correlation between education, training, empowerment and food security, mainly through a number of examples from all over the world. It is about strengthening the capacity of rural people to achieve food security. The broad background is that studies leading to the formulation of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 have shown the potential that poor people have to make their living if the right conditions are created. The challenge for the international community is to identify barriers and to create conditions for rural people to change and improve their situation. In this perspective, the way to reach food security is to strengthen the capacity of poor people. The concept of capacity is closely associated with notions such as empowerment. It is generally agreed that education in all its forms is one important pillar in such a strategy. The role of education is not only to impart knowledge and skills but also to contribute to the empowerment of people by improving their self-confi dence, widen their frame of reference and give them the tools to participate in wider processes of social and economic change.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specifi c companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

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© FAO
ISBN 978-92-5-106237-1