In response to global calls to action on the most pressing education challenges, Dubai Cares today launched a comprehensive and action-oriented guiding framework for a future-focused and human-centric education ecosystem that is set to transform education globally by placing children and youth at the center of human development.
The launch of the framework was announced by Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, and Chairman of the Global Council on SDG 4, during a high-level panel discussion titled "Driving the Wheel of Implementation for Humanity to Thrive" at the SDG in Action event hosted at the World Government Summit 2022 (WGS2022) at Expo 2020 Dubai by the SDGs Global Councils. The panel explored the plans of the different councils on how to accelerate the successful implementation of the SDGs.
The new education ecosystem, which is set to be unveiled on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2022 during the UN Transforming Education Summit to be convened by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, puts humanity back at the heart of education as it shifts the emphasis towards transforming global education and building humans ready for the future in terms of opportunities, by instilling core competencies that will enable them to fulfill their utmost potential.
The ecosystem caters to the evolving needs of children and youth around the world in terms of technology, connectivity, inclusivity, core competencies, skills, values, leadership, and gender equality among others. It also focuses on out-of-school children by facilitating their access to formal learning opportunities through multiple pathways culminating in certification and accreditation that enable them to access similar opportunities as their peers who went through formal schooling.
This framework comes to light following extensive discussions and engagements with country partners, educational institutions, multilateral organisations, UN agencies, global mechanisms and networks, and the private sector over the past 5 years. The last 6 months were the most crucial period, as Dubai Cares hosted over 400 consultations at Expo 2020 Dubai that fed into the system.
Over the next 6 months, Dubai Cares is set to host further consultations with key education stakeholders including governments, ministries, UN agencies, global mechanisms, education institutions and actors, private sector and youth among others, aimed at strengthening the foundation of the framework, ahead of its unveiling at the UN General Assembly this September. The organisation is inviting the global community to join these consultations and contribute to this global movement working towards transforming the current education system.
Highlighting the key role of Expo 2020 Dubai by bringing together 192 countries to reshape the conversation on critical issues globally including education, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said,
"This new education framework that Dubai Cares has designed aims to transform the way children and youth are learning in order to put them in the driving seat to shape, not only their own future, but also their communities and countries. The bold, collaborative and global approach of this framework reflects the very essence of all Expos, that are known for creating new and innovative solutions for the prosperity of humanity."
The framework builds on both Dubai Cares’ learnings from and contributions to the global education sector and its growing body of evidence around what needs to be done to address the widening education crisis.
Commenting on the urgent need to transform education globally, Dr. Al Gurg said,
"The current crisis-laden environment requires a new global education system that puts humanity at the heart of education – an ecosystem that can leverage our knowledge, skills, and passions to influence educational and social outcomes, and more importantly, to put students at the center of human development. Through this new education ecosystem, children and young people will be empowered to thrive in an ever-changing world.
"We look forward to seeing governments, private sector, UN agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, youth and all other key actors rallying around and contributing to this ecosystem as well as delivering it on a wider scale to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all."
The framework is built on a new system of partnerships and stakeholder engagement among new education actors in a way that enables every community, city or country to adopt, adapt, customise and transform their systems in a way that responds to their aspirations. As a result, the transformation of education is not a conversation for education experts or decision-makers alone, but it is a space where teachers, education leaders, ministries of economy, finance, labour, and youth along with employers and members of the private sector not only communicate with one another, but also directly contribute to the contextualisation of education, while simultaneously working on creating opportunities for children and youth both inside the classroom and the world beyond.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
