Global Learning Conference 2025

Morning

AI and other innovations promise to transform education — but only if they align with how humans actually learn. Scientific research reveals that learning is an active, lifelong process shaped by complex and often counter-intuitive mechanisms. This thought-provoking talk will underscore why technologies and tools must be designed according to evidence-based principles of human learning.

Emma Benameur

Pierre Dillenbourg

Manu Kapur

AI is rapidly transforming education systems worldwide. While countries like China and the United States have recently implemented bold policies to integrate AI into early education, others are imposing restrictions on its use in classrooms, reflecting a global divergence in approaches to AI in education. Can AI enhance learning in ways that are equitable, ethical, and respectful of human judgment, or does its use risk amplifying the very inequalities it seeks to solve?

Launch of Æther – an AI platform designed to serve as a virtual learning and teaching assistant on sustainable development and planetary boundaries.

Markus Buehler

Vanessa Evers

Shivkumar Kalyanaraman

Taniya Mishra

Illah Nourbakhsh

Subra Suresh

Arun Venkat

Visit the Learning Zone to discover innovative platforms and digital tools shaping the future of learning.

Session in Parallel

Globally, the gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education was reported at 43% in 2023, according to the World Bank. This indicates that less than half of the eligible population is currently enrolled in higher education. Join this session to explore bold ideas and disruptive innovations transforming higher education to become more relevant, accessible, and impactful, to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society and shape a more inclusive, sustainable future.

Pranesh Aswath

Andrew Jack

Peter Schlosser

Suzanne Walsh

It is estimated that by 2030, up to 825 million young people may lack the skills required to secure employment, highlighting the critical importance of primary and secondary education systems to not only impart knowledge but also foster critical thinking, adaptability, and global citizenship. Join this session to explore innovative frameworks and bold ideas reshaping K-12 education to prepare students for diverse higher education and career pathways, while also empowering them to lead fulfilling lives in a fast-changing world.

Camilo Camargo

Lasse Leponiemi

Angela McCarthy

Raj Mundra

According to UNESCO, over 250 million children and youth remain out of school globally, with marginalized communities facing the steepest barriers to quality education. Join this session to explore how community-centered and inclusive education models are breaking barriers to access, empowering underrepresented communities, and developing creative approaches that equip learners with the adaptable skills needed for the future workforce.

Jaideep Bansal

Mariah Levin

Meera Rajeevan

Rachel Wang

Jane Zohoungbogbo

The global e-learning market is projected to reach nearly $400 billion by 2026 and user engagement expected to surpass 1.1 billion learners by 2029. Join this session to explore the latest developments in online learning platforms, how these advancements can ensure equitable and quality access to education for all, while fostering inclusive and connected global learning communities.

Allison Bellwood

Lara Gervaise

Meagan Fallone

Sharada Mohanty

Marco Real

Anuj Sharma

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers expect 39% of key skills required in the job market to change by 2030. Join this session to explore the latest developments in workforce upskilling and reskilling, what skills are needed for workers to thrive in the future and innovative models for a future ready workforce?

Julia Binder

Jonas Haertle

Andreas Klemmer

Patrick van Weerelt

This meal is prepared based on the recommendations of the EAT-Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet, which provides scientific guidelines to ranges of different food groups that together constitute an optimal diet for human health and environmental sustainability.

Afternoon

Session in Parallel

The 2024 Villars Institute Global Issues Survey reveals that youth recognize the importance of climate and biodiversity loss for their future careers, 63% assess their current understanding as average or below average, highlighting a significant knowledge gap. Join an in-depth discussion on finding the innovation pathways that will accelerate systemic change towards education for sustainability.

Barry Dequanne

Ibrahim Hafeezur Rehman

Dr Kevin House

Julia Marton-Lefèvre

Ricarda Winkelmann

Over 250 million children and youth worldwide are still out of school, and millions more face barriers to accessing quality education due to gender, income, and geographic location. Join an in-depth discussion on finding the innovation pathways that will accelerate systemic change towards equity and inclusion in education.

Anna Celner

Leonardo Garnier

Irene Kaggwa

Mihoko Kumamoto

Bitange Ndemo

With global education requiring an additional $100 billion annually by 2030 to meet universal goals, traditional funding approaches no longer suffice. Discover the emerging investment frameworks, collaborative models, and strategic resource pathways catalyzing systemic change in education financing.

Patrick Aebischer

Amanda Ellis

Sandro Giuliani

In many countries, over 70% of teachers report feeling unsupported and underprepared for the challenges of modern education, yet teachers remain the single most important factor in student success. Join an in-depth discussion on finding the innovation pathways to accelerate systemic change towards empowering teachers in preparing students for the future and as catalysts of innovation and impact.

Jennifer Keating

Kim Kovacevic

Jared Nolan

Marija Uzunova Dang

Visit the Learning Zone to discover innovative platforms and digital tools shaping the future of learning.

Join this closing plenary for a report-back on innovation pathways, and to explore the policies, partnerships, and financing strategies needed to unlock innovation and transform education and learning systems at scale.

H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg

Leonardo Garnier

Michelle Gyles-McDonnough

Lee Howell

Yuhyun Park

Subra Suresh

Professor Johan Rockström is Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor of Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. He is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research on planetary boundaries, tipping points, and Earth system resilience. Rockström co-developed the influential planetary boundaries framework that defines safe operating spaces for humanity and has authored over 100 scientific publications on sustainability science. He has also been a lead author for multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. His work bridges cutting-edge Earth system science with global policy, and he regularly advises governments and international organizations on climate and sustainability challenges.

Professor Johan Rockström will give the 6th Villars Institute Distinguished Lecture to unveil the latest scientific evidence for planetary boundaries and tipping points, and explore how Earth system science can guide urgent action for climate stability and planetary resilience.

Julia Marton-Lefèvre

Johan Rockström