Big Change, Lego Foundation and the Brookings Institution have launched the global Big Education Conversation initiative at the United Nation’s Transforming Education Summit in New York.
“This is such an exciting opportunity for young people to be the true drivers of change! The Big Education Conversation platform will allow us to take control of the conversation on education and help shape the global education agenda.” Inés Yábar aged 26 from Restless Development.
On Friday 16th September, Eloïse Haylor from Big Change and Inés Yábar from Restless Development joined a team of youth facilitators for the first live global Big Education Conversation with over 500 people. Youth leaders and activists, policymakers, civil society organisations and education Ministers, came together to mark the beginning of a mission to inspire one million inclusive conversations to transform education.
Many countries have education systems that do not work for all children or fully prepare them for their futures. The Big Education Conversation (BEC) supports people and communities around the world to come together to talk about what education is really for and to generate ideas and commitments to change. Conversations about the purpose of education are important in transforming education systems, as shown in countries as diverse as Portugal, Scotland and Egypt. They help different groups, like students, parents, educators, and government leaders, to come together, discuss their beliefs and hopes, and develop a shared vision for education in their community or country.
“I have become convinced that putting power in the hands of students to drive their own purpose in education is one of the most important changes in education during our time.” – Franco Mosso, Enseña Perú
Key global research has identified Purpose as one of three drivers for transforming education systems, including “A New Education Story: Three Drivers to Transform Education Systems” led by Big Change together with RewirED, Teach for All, HundrED, OECD, and others and a new report by David Sengeh, Minister of Education Sierra Leone and Rebecca Winthrop, Brookings “Transforming Education Systems: Why, What and How”. This means redefining the goals and outcomes of the system, and must include involving the public and communities, and especially young people, in defining the new purpose, as well as revealing and challenging the shared assumptions blocking transformation through inclusive and supported dialogues.
In 2022, the Big Education Conversation will take place in England for a second year, and you’re invited! This year we are joined by a coalition of partners from 11 countries each committed to bringing the initiative to life in their diverse contexts, with new resources published in English, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Swahili. As the initiative unfolds, contexts may learn from each other, but the goal is not to support a single global conversation about purpose, but rather to provide the tools to support many local, regional and national conversations.
Everyone can take part: Check out the new resources – a conversation guide, hosting guide and facilitation top tips – and follow on social media for inspiration as the #BigEducationConversation builds momentum around the world.