As a regional program, EDP strives to create linkages across jurisdictions to enable all educators to network on professional development issues. In doing so, EDP is working to create regional linkages on a variety of levels:
EDP's Approach to Equality
In EDP, equality issues are considered to be one of the key themes that straddle all elements of the program. EDP's primary programming strategy for addressing (in)-equality issues is a mainstreaming approach. Mainstreaming is defined as the process of systematically assessing the implications for all groups (women, men, ethnic grouping, age groupings, etc) of any planned action, in any area, and at all levels and ensuring that inequalities are not perpetuated.
EDP Programming and Equality
Programming activities in EDP that address equality issues include activities such as:
Targeted training on equality issues for educators and teacher/administrator trainers
Supporting local partners in building their capacities for mainstreaming equality issues into their work (e.g. through supporting the respective units in ministries of education responsible for equality topics to develop programs or policies relevant to mainstreaming equality concerns in the respective education system)
Modeling approaches of mainstreaming equality in professional development activities (e.g. introducing questions about the effect of a plan on different stakeholder groups as a regular part of project and policy planning)
EDP was designated by CIDA as a pilot project in youth participation and has been noted for its contributions to CIDA's thinking and achievements in this regard - including a nomination of KEDP for an award for excellence in youth programming in 2002.
