The Togolese government has announced plans to host a meeting of African education ministers in Lomé to implement a new global map initiative. This follows the adoption of a United Nations resolution, "Correct the Map," which aims to promote a more accurate representation of different regions of the world, particularly Africa. The resolution was adopted on September 4, 2026, and was led by the African group under the leadership of Togo.
The current maps in use are often based on projections designed for navigation, which tend to visually reduce the size of the African continent. The Togolese government plans to promote the "Equal Earth" projection in school textbooks and educational materials. To achieve this, the government will also provide training for teachers to use the new projection. This initiative aims to address the issue at its root, shaping students' perceptions of the world.
The meeting of African education ministers will be organized in collaboration with the African Union and UNESCO. The agenda includes defining a concerted implementation of the resolution, focusing on three main areas: integrating the new approach into school curricula and official publications, institutional cooperation, and technical assistance and training needs. The meeting is expected to produce a declaration and a roadmap for African countries.
The Togolese government has presented the implementation plan to the Council of Ministers, outlining the next steps for the initiative. The plan includes promoting the use of the "Equal Earth" projection in educational materials and providing training for teachers. The government aims to launch a concerted African dynamic to implement the resolution.
The meeting of African education ministers will be a crucial step in implementing the resolution. The Togolese government hopes to convince not only African countries but also other nations, publishers, and educational systems to adopt the new map initiative. The success of the initiative will depend on the adhesion of various stakeholders.
The date of the meeting, the list of participants, and the allocated resources have not been specified by the government. However, the Togolese government is committed to leading the implementation of the resolution, following its diplomatic victory at the United Nations. The initiative aims to promote a more accurate representation of Africa and other regions of the world.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be a "Lomé Declaration" and an African roadmap for implementing the "Correct the Map" initiative. A cooperation mechanism will be established to accompany the actions agreed upon. The Togolese government aims to launch a concerted African dynamic to promote a more accurate representation of the continent.
Key points
- The Togolese government will host a meeting of African education ministers to implement a new global map initiative.
- The initiative aims to promote a more accurate representation of Africa and other regions of the world.
- The success of the initiative will depend on the adhesion of various stakeholders, including governments, publishers, and educational systems.
