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In the lead up to the Worlds Teachers’ Day 2021, we launch a 4-day conference on the crucial role of all #EducationHeroes in the recovery phase post-COVID-19.

The 2021 Educaid.be digital conference aims to contribute to the understanding of what resilient education systems really stand for; what the barriers are to support, to protect and to appreciate the key role education actors play in our societies; what the perspectives, strategies and approaches are for achieving more resilient education systems;  and what good and inspirational practices are available

2020-2021 will be remembered as an exceptional period. The world was confronted with a pandemic. Countries went into lockdown; societies were completely disrupted. More than 1.6 billion learners were affected by school and university closures, and remote learning had to provide the best possible support for the students. Unfortunately, this form of education is not suitable for everyone, so many children and young people lost contact with the school during the lockdown. We know from previous crisis situations that especially girls, children and young people from vulnerable groups or with a disability belong to the highest risk groups for school dropout. If we add to this the economic impact of COVID-19 and the consequences for the funding of education and development cooperation, there is sufficient cause for concern for the coming years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities in education, and presented new challenges for better and more resilient education systems across all levels. Building on studies conducted by UNICEF, UNESCO, Plan International, Humanity and Inclusion, the World Bank, the Global Coalition for Education,… this edition of the international Educaid.be conference will shed light on the crucial role of all #EducationHeroes, in the recovery phase post-COVID-19. The digital conference will stimulate discussions around the local, national and international responses that are needed to focus on the recovery of the education systems and the well-being of our learners and students.

As the African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child”, Educaid.be wants to focus on collaboration between all actors (teachers, trainers, school and university leaders, educators, learners, parents, policymakers, unions,…) to build more resilient systems for the future. During the crisis, we have been inspired by many powerful examples to keep children learning. Around the world, many have united in a drive for change, putting education at the very top of the recovery agenda. As schools closed their doors, teachers, trainers and school leaders reinvented the way they teach and lead. When schools reopened, teachers, learners and school leaders returned courageously to their classrooms, training centres and universities and made the necessary arrangements for health precautions and learning continuity.

All education actors should be appreciated more for the key roles they play in navigating this crisis. They have adapted their practices while remaining emotionally available for all learners throughout the process. We need to keep ensuring that education actors are protected, supported and recognised.

Through this international conference, Educaid.be wants to share good practices, building bridges in the era of digitization, and call on governments  to ensure continued learning for all during and after this crisis – without losing sight of the most vulnerable. Build back better.

5 October 2021 | Main session: One crisis, all involved. The global picture.

13:30-14:15 (GMT+2)

Two keynotes 

Quentin Wodon
Quentin Wodon
Lead Economist, the World Bank
Linda Jones
Linda Jones
Senior Adviser, Education (Education in Emergencies), UNICEF
14:15-15:15 (GMT+2)

Panel discussion

Annapoorni Chandrashekar
Annapoorni Chandrashekar
Senior Manager - Digital Innovations, Pratham Education Foundation
Refat Sabbah
Refat Sabbah
President of the Global Campaign for Education
Linda Jones
Linda Jones
Senior Adviser, Education (Education in Emergencies), UNICEF
Quentin Wodon
Quentin Wodon
Lead Economist, the World Bank
Ides Nicaise
Moderator: Ides Nicaise
Professor ‘Education and Society’, KU Leuven
15:15-15:30 (GMT+2)

Perspective of the Belgian Government

Meryame Kitir
Meryame Kitir
Minister of Development Cooperation

6 October 2021 | Meet three Education Heroes and their SuperPowers in challenging times

13:30-15:00 (GMT+2)
Saga Augustine
Augustine Saga
Itinerant teacher, IEPP Tône Est (Togo)
Claudette Irere
Claudette Irere
Minister of State in Charge of ICT and Technical Vocational Education and Training (Rwanda)
Mugisha Cohens
Mugisha Cohens
Student of National Teacher's College Unyama (Enabel in Uganda - TTE project)
Iris Uyttersprot
Moderator: Iris Uyttersprot
Expert Education, Training and Employment, Enabel

7 October 2021 | Remedial teaching to fight the COVID learning crisis in Africa

Teaching at the Right Level, cases from Zambia and Nigeria

13:30-15:00 (GMT+2)
Yusuf Ismail
Yusuf Ismail
Education Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria
Devyani Pershad
Devyani Pershad
Head of International Collaborations Pratham (India) & Senior Management at TaRL Africa
Anne-Thora Vardøy-Mutale
Anne-Thora Vardøy-Mutale
Education Manager, VVOB in Zambia
Peter Van Petegem
Moderator: Peter Van Petegem
Professor Educational Sciences, University of Antwerp

8 October 2021 | Teaching despite the COVID learning crisis in South Asia

13:30-15:00 (GMT+2)
Lori Carlson
Lori Carlson
President, the Ponheary Ly Foundation
Animita Barua
Anumita Barua
Director, Jagat Jyoti Primary School (Bangladesh) | Education International Belgium
Nat Son
Nat Son
Head of Teacher Training, Teacher Development Support Organisation | The Angkor Tree Project
Cinthya Game
Dr. Cinthya Game
Vice Minister of Education - Ecuador
Peter Stremus
Moderator: Peter Stremus
Founder EdukoMondo

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