Two education experts from Finland are among an elite list set to address a global summit in Bahrain this October, it was announced today.
Janna Palojärvi, Director for International Relations at the Ministry of Education and Culture; and Ari Pokka, President of the Finnish Association of Principals, will join speakers from Harvard University, the European Commission, 10 Downing Street and Microsoft at the Education Project 2010. The second occasion of the annual event - initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB) - runs from 8-10 October.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising the event, said: "Education is the single most important factor in bringing stability, productivity and prosperity to all societies. Our goal in Bahrain in establishing the Education Project was to bring together an international community of educators. To have two leading experts from Finland - to offer their expertise in identifying practical solutions to address the gap in the global education system - will help to ensure a platform from which to further inspire positive change."
Despite increased government spending, education outcomes worldwide have declined over time. The Education Project was established to share best practice and create a practical approach that educators can follow to make a difference. Hundreds of professionals from 36 countries joined together last year. In October, leading figures from academia, business and politics will again take the stage; Palojärvi and Pokka will offer valuable insight.
The Education Project is free to attend for educational professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in education. Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register online visit: http://www.educationprojectbahrain.org
Notes to editors
Other speakers confirmed for the Education project 2010 include:
- Charles Leadbeater, advisor to the government of Shanghai,
European Commission and 10 Downing St, UK
- Cindy Johanson, executive director, George Lucas Educational
Foundation, USA
- Edward B Fiske, former education editor, New York Times, USA
- HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher
Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates
- Helen Ladd, Professor of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School of
Public Policy, USA
- Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public
Schools, USA
- David Hogan, Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, National
Institute of Education, Singapore
- Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder, KIPP
- Mona Mourshed, Partner Middle East, McKinsey & Company, United
Arab Emirates
- Patrick Griffin, Executive Director, Assessment and Teaching of
21st Century Skills, AT21C & University of Melbourne, Australia
- Ralph Tabberer, Chief School Officer, GEMS, United Arab Emirates
- Steven Joel Trachtenberg, former President of George Washington
University and author of Big Man on Campus, USA
- Tom Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of
Education, USA
- Tony Wagner, Co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard
Graduate School of Education
About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.
The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.
The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit http://www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit http://www.bahrain.com
