R4D President David de Ferranti and the R4D Education team, led by Managing Director Nicholas Burnett, convened with a reference group and a panel of advisors organized to provide an advisory role for R4D's Innovative Secondary Education for Skills Enhancement (ISESE) project, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation. The six reference group members were selected for their expertise in skills development, secondary education and curricula reform, and have extensive experience in Asia or sub-Saharan Africa.
At the Phase I review meeting in Bellagio, participants provided guidance and feedback on the first phase of the work, which consisted of research on skills for employability and innovative models of skills delivery in Africa and Asia. Participants also provided guidance on the models to be explored in more depth for the Phase II research.
Regional institutions from Africa and Asia are commissioned to do the bulk of the research, and use a mix of primary and secondary data sources. Research methodology includes a mix of interviews, literature reviews, and analysis of existing data and surveys.
The goal of the meeting was to provide input on the research conducted, and provide insight and commentary on questions and issues raised in the studies. Given that all ISESE Reference Group members have extensive expertise in this space, R4D is taking their insight to highlight any gaps in the research and advise on areas to examine in more detail. Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity for all participants to meet with each other in person for the first time, and build stronger connections.