Held on the margins of the ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), this side-event will enable a constructive dialogue among a diverse range of policy makers and practitioners engaged in the field of both education and SDGs in general.

The virtual event will bring together Member States, UN agencies, the private sector, youth advocates, and civil society representatives around the following four objectives:

• Highlight ways to harness the transformative power of education in achieving sustainable societies and discuss how policies and practices in Education for Sustainable Development can contribute to building a better future.
• Showcase the evidence-based benefits and innovations of integrating Education for Sustainable Development into all levels of education and training from early childhood to tertiary and adult education, so that all individuals are provided with lifelong opportunities to fully develop their human potential.
• Emphasize the role of Education for Sustainable Development as a cross-cutting instrument to empower learners at all levels of education which enable more profound and holistic understanding of sustainable development and potential solutions.
• Strengthen and accelerate existing global frameworks and networks of Education for Sustainable Development at local, national, regional, and global levels, with a view to sharing good practices.

The event is co-organized by the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning (Co-Chaired by Japan, Argentina, Czech Republic, Kenya, Norway) and UNESCO.

Speakers (Tentative)

Welcome Remarks

• H.E. Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning
• Ms. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO
• Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, UN

Panel Discussion

• H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Burkina Faso, International Jury for UNESCO-Japan ESD Prize
• Mr. Gerbert Kunst, Director for International Policy of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherland
• Mr. Charles North, Acting CEO and Ms. Sarah Beardmore, Team Lead, Strategic capabilities, Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
• Ms. Naoko Okamura, Assistant Minister/Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
• Mr. Andrew Ofosu-Dankyi, Technical Programme Manager-Education, World Vision Ghana
• Ms. Amanda Bernett (Youth Representative) , Earth Charter International

Moderator

• Professor Yuto Kitamura, Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo

Closing Remarks

• Ms. Njambi Kinyungu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations, Co-Chair of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning

TIME: 07:00 - 08:30 ET / 11:00 - 12:30 GMT / 13:00 - 14:30 CET

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