The Prime Minister said: “This Forum is an invaluable opportunity for countries to learn from one another and our collective commitment to world-wide improvement in education will drive up standards and increase opportunities for learners across the world. Education is vital for building our skill base and raising our aspirations and prospects at any age. I am proud that the UK nurtures and attracts so many learners who benefit from the expertise of our teachers and lecturers."
The gathering takes place because today’s world is one where the use of whiteboards is becoming the norm, where websites provide extra routes to access lessons, study plans and the curriculum and where teachers and students alike both rely on laptops, word processing , spreadsheets and graphics packages.
Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive, Becta, added: “Equipping our current and future generations with the necessary skills to compete in a digital world is crucial to our future. Through innovative programmes such as Home Access, Becta is driving this development. We can see in schools and colleges across Britain how the use of technology breeds greater success for students and teachers alike. The Learning and Technology World Forum allows us to build on our achievements by learning from experiences across the world to improve education and technology for us all globally.”
Now in its second year, The Forum brings together some of the most powerful people in the world to discuss fundamental educational issues. By working with both ministerial and non-ministerial participants, the Forum builds links between policy and leading practice.
As part of the official opening, The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills launched the government’s Online Basics initiative, providing IT courses to thousands of adults to give them the skills and confidence they need to go online. In addition, The Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families addressed the Forum.
This year, the Forum’s overarching theme is re-imagining education which explores three major international concerns: Enabling regeneration and economic recovery; striving for excellence; and preparing for the future. In addition to keynote speeches and open panel sessions, attendees will have the chance to participate in detailed, small-group sessions which focus on specific topics within the education sector including eradicating social exclusion; using education to stimulate economic growth; the future of children’s online safety; and transforming lives in disadvantaged communities.
The Forum is organised by Becta in partnership with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA). It is hosted by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and it is fully supported by the British Council and a range of other partner organisations. Participants have come from across the globe. Specific international ministerial keynote speakers and panelists include:
- Lisa Paul, Secretary, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Australia
- Heljä Misukka, State Secretary of Education, Finland
- Dr Horn Mun Cheah, Director of Educational Technology, Ministry of Education, Singapore.
Keynote speakers include:
- Elizabeth King, Director of Education, World Bank
- Carol Bellamy, Chair of the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative
- Dr Tarek Shawki, Director of the Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States, UNESCO
- Dr Laurence Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the New Media Consortium
- Charles Leadbeater, leading authority on innovation and creativity
In addition, industry leaders speaking include:
- Andreas Schleicher, Head, Education Statistics and Indicators Division, Directorate for Education, OECD
- Dr Seamus Hegarty, Chair, International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.
The event has drawn increasing support from major industry partners, including Cisco, Intel and Microsoft, who are working collaboratively with the Forum stakeholders to drive development in education and skills in the UK and across the world.
