EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Introduction to the programme

Advances in technology, notably the rapid spread of digitalisation and AI, are transforming the economy and society. The use of digital tools is now a requirement for employment in virtually every sector of the economy, while discerning between true and fake news is a matter of survival in the social media world. Coupled with a rapidly changing natural environment, through the impact of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, these transformations demand an urgent adjustment to the core systems of human preparedness, i.e. the world’s education systems. Young people and continuous learners must be given the means to adapt, secure their lives and livelihoods, and thrive, taking the future into their own hands, in the brave new digital world that is now upon us.

The Digital with Purpose (DWP) Global Summit is a flagship event that brings together public and private sector decision-makers, entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as digital technology users and beneficiaries from around the world. It is convened by GeSI, the sustainability organization of the ICT private sector. The aim is to accelerate the uptake and use of digital innovations, particularly those developed by the private sector, that benefit society and help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Central to these goals is SDG4 – “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” – that serves as the basis and catalyst for the achievement of all the rest.

That is why this year’s DWP Global Summit 2024 will again have a strong focus on education through its Education Track. Representatives of the private sector and all relevant stakeholders – governments and international organisations, teachers, students, technology developers, educational entrepreneurs, employers – will come together for a series of plenary discussions, roundtables and workshops on a range of education related topics. Realizing that there are shortcomings and potential traps that humanity has to be aware of and avoid if it is to make best use of digitalisation, and with AI fast emerging as the pinnacle of the digital toolbox, this year’s Summit as a whole will pay spec

The Education Track will build on the Education Manifesto that emerged from the 2023 DWP Global Summit in Portugal and carry it forward through an action-oriented agenda. It is expected to result in ambitious and verifiable commitments by all involved, including the private sector partners, to transform our education systems and spread the benefits of education wider than ever, through the deliberate and responsible use of digital tools, those that exist and more that are coming. Deliberations and commitments undertaken at the DWP Global Summit 2024 will form the basis of the discussions at the DWP Global Summit 2025, contributing to the DWP Movement.

What sets the DWP Education Track apart from all other gatherings dealing with needed changes in education systems is its focus on digital, software and hardware, and how the private sector that develops these tools can be part of a race to the top, within a conducive framework provided by the public sector and civil society. Together in a race to the top towards a more sustainable, resilient and equitable world, where it is good for all to live and work.

EDUCATION AGENDA

09 July – 11 July 2024

9 July

Moderation: Manan Shah, Research, Journalist, IT & Communication Advisor

SPEAKERS:

  1. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO
  2. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2014-2023) and Former Executive Director, UNEP
  3. David Beatty, Professor, University of Toronto
  4. Tim Vieira, Founder and CEO, Brave Generation Academy
  5. Veerle Vandeweerd, Co-founder Transforming Education Alliance, Former Director UNDP

This high-level opening session for the Education Track will reflect on the DwP 2023 Education Manifesto and set the scene for identifying key action needed to scale up transformative digital solutions in support of SDG 4, drawing from the keynote speaker’s real-life experiences and responding to the demands of younger generations.​

POWERED BY: Sea Monster

SPEAKERS:

  1. Glenn Gillis, CEO, Sea Monster
  2. António Câmara, Professor, Nova School of Science and Technology
  3. Alan Gershenfeld, President and Co-founder, E-Line Media
  4. Jeferson Valadares, VP, Corporate Development, Fortis games
  5. Karsten Krueger, Director of Research, University of Barcelona
  6. Jason Blackstock, Founder & CEO, How to Change the World

Explore and activate the potential of the gaming industry for educational advancement. We will dive into how gaming technologies can be harnessed for the greater good, focusing on leveraging their engaging formats for learning purposes.
​

10 July

Moderation: Michelle DuQuette, Events & Community Lead, EdTech Alliance

SPEAKERS:

  1. Willem Schoors, Project Manager, EmpowerED
  2. Jordi Serarols Boada, Subdirector General of Research and Digital Culture, Catalunya
  3. Roland Jan Meijer, Secretary General, Globe EU
  4. António Câmara, Professor, Nova School of Science and Technology

This session will discuss action taken by public authorities and international organizations to digitize formal and informal education and promote lifelong learning in support of SDG4. It will identify actionable and replicable steps to drastically change what and how we teach and learn, and promote impactful collaboration and innovation to that end.

Moderation: 

  1. Paul Byrne, Secretary General, ESHA
  2. Leendert – Jan Velthuyzen, Executive Board Member, Stichting Kolom

SPEAKERS:

  1. Deborah Snoeren, Educational advisor, School NOUR Primary Education
  2. Cristina Silva, Headmaster, Gil Vicente School, Guimarães, Portugal
  3. Jeanette Kuipers, Director Hasselbraam en Kleine Braam, Allente
  4. Michael Wachira, CEO, Virtual Essence
  5. Francisco Miranda, CEO, Class of Wonders
  6. José Malaquias, Managing Partner, The Inventors
  7. Bebiana Sá Moura, Head of Partnerships, Virtuleap
  8. Evangelos Marios Kemos, Senior Communications & Stakeholder Relations Lead, EIT Digital

Workshop aimed at bridging the gap between school needs and digital solutions.This session brings together educators, school administrators, and tech providers to foster dialogue, share insights, and explore partnerships. We’ll focus on aligning educational requirements with innovative digital tools and services,fostering a mutual understanding to enhance the learning experience.

​

Moderation: Tim Vieira, Founder and CEO, Brave Generation AcademyM

  1. Michael Wachira, CEO, Virtual Essence
  2. Jason Blackstock, Founder & CEO, How to Change the World
  3. Maria Miguel Castella, Researcher, NOVA National School of Public Health
  4. Bebiana Sá Moura, Head of Partnerships, Virtuleap
  5. Francisco Miranda, CEO, Class of Wonders

Join us for a dynamic workshop on turnkey solutions tailored to meet the challenges of the modern educational landscape. We’ll be delving into a wide range of issues impacting education at every level.

This workshop is not just about identifying problems—it’s about sparking innovation and driving meaningful change. With input from directors of education spanning different age groups and visionaries leading the charge for educational reform, our discussions promise to be insightful, forward-thinking, and inspiring.

In this interactive session, our esteemed panelists will share their expertise and explore cutting-edge strategies to tackle these challenges head-on. Together, we’ll uncover actionable insights to revolutionize the way we learn.

Moderation: Joaquim Croca, Advisor, GeSI

SPEAKERS:

  1. Hermina Johnny, Founder, Aspire Artemis Foundation
  2. Matt Delac, CEO, SheCodes
  3. Alexandra Badea, Creative Director, She is a Mom
  4. Deborah Snoeren, Educational advisor, School NOUR Primary Education
  5. Susana Viseu, Founder, Business as Nature
  6. Fahima Farahi, Co-Founder and CEO, Wiseworld
In the digital age, the pursuit of gender equality has taken on new dimensions, with technology offering unprecedented opportunities for lifelong learning and career advancement. This workshop aims to explore and promote the use of digital tools to foster projects designed to support women in their educational and professional journeys. By showcasing best practices and successful initiatives, we seek to empower women to leverage digital resources to enhance, repurpose, and achieve success in their careers.

11 July

Moderation: Georgios Kostakos, Co-founder and Executive Director, FOGGS

SPEAKERS:

  1. David Beatty, Professor, University of Toronto
  2. Niraj Bhargava, CEO, NuEnergy.ai
  3. Evangelos Marios Kemos, Senior Communications & Stakeholder Relations Lead, EIT Digital
  4. Diane Mievis, Director, EU Public Policy , Cisco

The dramatic rise of generative AI and it potential to upend education, life and livelihood systems warrants a close examination of the current state of affairs and emerging trends. Students can be assisted in learning but also in cheating in schools by AI, but they also need to understand how it works, how to use it and even how to programme it. What practical and ethical criteria need to be set in order to maximise the potential and minimise the negative aspects of Gen AI? This initial discussion sponsored by the DWP Movement will bring together AI experts, Ed Tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, students and other stakeholders to create mutual understanding and start work towards the necessary standards. 

SPEAKERS:

  1. François Taddei, Director, Learning Planet Institute

This session will report on concrete measures to activate the Manifesto DwP 2023, based on the outcomes of the education workshops. It will identify essential scaling-up factors, announce significant partnerships, set clear, achievable targets to advance SDG4, and engage digital education tech companies in the DwP initiative.​

POWERED BY: EdTech Alliance

Moderation: Michelle DuQuette, Events & Community Lead, EdTech Alliance

Hosted by the European EdTech Alliance (EEA), the workshop will guide participants towards a shared vision of mobilising key stakeholders across the European education community to advocate for a global EdTech alliance with quality assurance at the centre. 

The workshop will build upon the work of our existing European funded projects (the Jacobs Foundation EdTech Strategy Lab project and the EU-funded EmpowerED project) by exploring how SDG4 can be advanced through the creation of a collaborative, evidence-driven ecosystem of EdTech companies that supports the development and dissemination of high-quality EdTech solutions worldwide. 

The workshop will focus on facilitating discussions on the importance of evidence-based EdTech partnerships and the issue of trust. Attendees will be able to share their unique perspectives through participating in a series of engaging Clarifying Challenges and Showcasing Solutions formats with the support of industry experts to help guide the conversations. 

We’ll also share initial findings about the topics of evidence and quality assurance in EdTech that we’ve compiled through workshops, interviews and research initiatives with decision makers from across Europe. 

There will also be the opportunity to learn more about joining the Digital With Purpose Performance Framework movement and how to contribute toward driving transformational change for a sustainable future. 

Moderation: Olivier Brechard, Director, LearningPlanet Alliance

SPEAKERS:

  1. François Taddei, Director, Learning Planet Institute
  2. Karsten Krueger, Director of Research, University of Barcelona
  3. Jason Blackstock, Founder & CEO, How to Change the World
  4. Manan Shah, Research, IT & Communication Advisor, FOGGS
Universities are THE ideal places to co-create new knowledge, to inspire young generations to equip us for the future and to adapt to critical transitions towards a healthy, sustainable planet. LPI is driving an intergenerational, global conversation supported by UNESCO and UN University to build towards new forms of distributed higher education adapted to transitions across the world. It is leading the call to design the future of learning with youth, and make the most of AI and digital technologies to bring it to life.
As part of this workshop in Cascais, the LPI invites you to participate in our reflection on the place of Edtech with regard to this future global University:
 
  1. What should be the digital infrastructure for this global open campus?
  2. What concrete digital solutions would you suggest we explore?
  3. What could be an edtech for good programme at the heart of this university curriculum? Would you like to be involved in its codesign?