Shaping the future(s) of education
From 5-7 June 2024, Globethics hosted the ICDE (International Council for Open and Distance Education) Leadership Summit 2024 at Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland.
Over 120 participants from more than 35 countries attended this leadership-focused international conference. Among the keynote speakers were the director of International Affairs at the Canton of Geneva, Beatrice Ferrari; the UNESCO Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division, Borhene Chakroun; and Bi Xiaohan, Deputy Director of Summit event partner, the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI).
Across the three days, the programme was packed with interactive workshops, dynamic panel discussions, and networking and engagement moments.
These opportunities allowed participants to deepen conversations, develop strategies, and build alliances on the Summit theme of “Ethical Leadership in the Age of AI: Rethinking Futures of Education".
The diverse group of high-level educational stakeholders present lent their expertise and experience to these discussions, from university heads such as the Vice President of the Open University of China and the Executive Director of the International Cooperation Group of Brazilian Universities, to policymakers including representatives of the Ministries of Education of Qatar and Ethiopia.
The Summit also provided the opportunity to develop several important partnerships, and Globethics signed cooperation agreements with the University of Information Technology and Communications (UoITC), Iraq and the Renaissance Global College of Open & Virtual Learning, Ethiopia. We look forward to working with both institutions to develop an ethical practice in higher education.
The Partnerships and Joint Initiatives Forum on 6 June, as well as the key networking moments, gave participants the space to build alliances around existing and new initiatives on AI and education.
Throughout the Leadership Summit, there was a united call for educational stakeholders to play a proactive role in the responsible use of emerging technologies – including developing a more inclusive AI that benefits all; in cultivating critical thinking, and in ensuring the future(s) of education serves a greater purpose for good in the world.
Globethics is looking forward to publishing the outcome report of the ICDE Leadership Summit, in partnership with UNESCO-ICHEI, detailing the dialogue and decisions explored during the event. The report will be launched and made available in September 2024.
In the meantime, a living letter of participants’ concerns, hopes, recommendations, and commitments for the future of education, compiled during an interactive Summit session, has been made available to download, adapt, and share widely. We invite you to do so, continuing this conversation on ethics, AI, and education.
See all photos from the event on Flickr.
Discover more insights (and share yours as a participant) from the Summit on LinkedIn with the hashtag #ICDELS24.