9th World Conference on Education
On March 6 and 7, Mexico City hosted the International Finance Corporation's 9th World Conference on Education, and we had the opportunity to participate and learn first-hand about the latest trends in education and technology, as well as to establish connections with potential partners and important players in the education, private and technology sectors. Participants included international organizations such as UNESCO and the World Bank, private companies such as Microsoft, AWS and Pearson, online education platforms such as Coursera, among others.
During the two-day conference, the crucial challenge of tertiary education in low- and middle-income countries was addressed as well as the opportunity to evolve and reach more students with quality education. This approach seeks to ensure that students acquire the necessary skills to access quality jobs in less time, at a lower cost, improving their quality of life. A central point of discussion was the fundamental role of technology in teaching models.
Some notable findings of the conference include:
The global struggle of young graduates and adults to find employment. In Latin America:
A 30% increase in the number of students is projected for 2030.
It faces a "learning poverty" challenge, with an increasing percentage of students not understanding what they read in simple text by age 10.
At the same time, 50% of companies report difficulties in finding talent.
There is also a significant gender gap, where women who complete post-secondary education are less likely to achieve high earnings than their male peers.
Technological advances offer new employment opportunities, but equipping students with the skills needed to take advantage of them remains a challenge. Technology can also facilitate more personalized learning and increase accessibility to quality education, although its ineffective use can compromise educational quality.
In such a dynamic environment, it is essential to teach students to be lifelong learners, as schools cannot cover all learning needs. Core competencies for all students include adaptability, problem solving, entrepreneurial mindset, digital skills, continuous experimentation and awareness of global issues such as climate change.
To encourage lifelong learning, it needs to be more flexible, cumulative and personalised. Approaches such as the emphasis on social-emotional competencies and skills, optionality and the use of credentials are expected to continue to gain relevance. However, there is a lack of a common language or standards for defining capabilities, as well as clear training paths.
Finally, it highlights the crucial role of the private sector in driving digital transformation in the education sector, especially in emerging markets.
In summary, the 9th World Conference on Education underscored the urgent need to adapt education to current and future challenges, with a focus on the development of life skills and the effective use of technology, with collaboration between public and private actors as a key element in this transformation process.
Check here the main insigths of the conference: