WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maliwatch began preparations for its 2024 annual meeting during a working session held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 5 p.m. GMT. The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. and brought together Harouna Maiga of Crookston, Minnesota; Amadou Kane of Seattle, Washington; Sady Sissoko of Chicago, Illinois; Adam Ouologuem of Washington, D.C.; Fad Seydou of Bamako, Mali; and Mohamed Elmansour Ag Almahamoud of Bamako, Mali.

Annual meeting dates confirmed

Members confirmed that Maliwatch's 2024 annual meeting will take place on May 25 and 26, 2024, at the Embassy of Mali in Washington, D.C. The Ambassador has reserved the Embassy's conference room, securing a venue for the organization's members and partners.

National education forum preparations

The meeting reviewed plans for the Etats Généraux de l'Education du Mali. The terms of reference had been circulated to members, and preparatory meetings were scheduled for January 4–6, 2024, by Zoom, with the possibility of an in-person component. Maliwatch and the Embassy of Mali are co-sponsoring the initiative.

To help frame the discussions, Harouna Maiga will circulate documentation from the 2008 Forum National sur l'Education au Mali. Fad Seydou will share with the group the terms of reference proposed by the reflection group working in Bamako. The exchange reflects Maliwatch's continuing interest in supporting a broad, informed conversation about the future of education in Mali.

Support for the MSAS symposium in Bamako

Members also reviewed the 2024 MSAS symposium, scheduled to take place in Bamako from July 28 to August 3, 2024. The activity was still under development, with Maliwatch expected to participate in fundraising efforts supporting the symposium.

“Les Papillons lumineux d'Hopougou”

The group received an update on the iDAMA book project, which Maliwatch is sponsoring. The book, titled Les Papillons lumineux d'Hopougou — Connecting Kids with Nature, introduces children to the natural environment and encourages a stronger connection with nature. Maliwatch donated $690 toward printing costs. Members agreed to ask Fatoumata Diallo to follow up on the project and report on its progress.

Closing

No additional business was raised. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. GMT after reviewing the annual meeting, education forum, symposium and book-project priorities.