Keynote 3: Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

“Global trends shaping the future of education”

2020 humbled us with a global shock: the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been reminded that, despite best-laid plans, the future likes to surprise us. But the pandemic is just one of a kaleidoscope of disruptions we are looking at. Climate-related crises, extreme digitalisation of societies, new forms of political turbulence both at home and abroad and military conflicts make for a future that is very different from our expectations. We must be imaginative. We must ask ourselves questions, the right ones. What are the fundamental purposes of education today? What are the kinds of skills that will matter most? What kinds of learning environments will 21st-century students flourish in?