This private page provides background information for speakers invited to the Foundation’s round table on the digital transformation of learning, education, and training (LET) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The round table organized by the Geneva Learning Foundation is one of the thematic workshops at the World Summit for the Information Society (WSIS).
Last update: 26 April 2017. This page will be updated as we progress preparation for the workshop.
Please help us prepare a high-quality event by indicating your specific interest and commitment on this short form as soon as possible.
You will see here that we have many ideas for activities ahead of the event to showcase your projects and share your vision in the coming weeks. The pre-event activities of course aim to stir conversation in our networks around the SDGs (Target 4.7) and the digital transformation of education. Of course, we are grateful for your commitment to join the round table, and fully understand if you are unable to contribute beyond this.
Practical information
- Topic: The digital transformation of learning, education, and training for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- When: Monday, 12 June 2017 9h – 10h45
- Where: ITU Tower Room C2, Geneva, Switzerland
- How to participate: in person (WSIS registration required) or remotely (instructions will be shared with those who register their interest).
Workshop concept summary
- SDG Target 4.7 aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
- For most if not all global organizations, it is a major challenge to scale up their education and other capacity-building efforts.
- The digital transformation of learning, education, and training (LET) enables a new economy of effort to accelerate progress toward this Target, but also creates new, complex problems.
What is the point of this workshop?
- The workshop will explore new ways to harness digital learning toward SDG Target 4.7.
- We believe that many organizations are working (explicitly or implicitly) toward this target and some may achieve isolated impact.
- However, there is currently no shared vision or common agenda, a lack of mutually-reinforcing activities that could build trust and encourage communication, and no shared measurement system to track progress.
- We hope to provide a small but significant stepping stone toward collective impact by stakeholders with an interest in leveraging the digital transformation of education to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What will I be asked to speak about?
We are most interested in two kinds of contributions:
- Specific projects and action that relate to SDG Target 4.7 (whether or not these refer explicitly to the SDGs or Target 4.7) and
- Analysis, research, and other insights around the digital transformation of learning (whether or not it is related to the SDGs) that can help improve comprehension and define a common agenda and shared vision.
What if I am interested but not available at the time of the workshop?
Fortunately, physical presence is not required to contribute. We have identified several simple, rapid ways to showcase the value and relevance of your projects and activities. Please help us prepare a high-quality event by indicating how you wish to participate by completing this form.
What if I am available but not able to travel to Geneva?
Remote participation is a last resort because it can diminish the overall quality of the experience. Please share your constraints and we will find the best solution together. Help us prepare a high-quality event by indicating how you wish to contribute by completing this form.
Who are the invited speakers?
We have tried to invite a healthy mix of education and technology innovators who are either working explicitly on the SDGs or whose work is related to them. The list and exact number of round table speakers will be shared as soon as we have confirmed everyone’s participation. The number will be limited so as to allow each speaker to contribute usefully.
Who attends? How many people? What is their profile?
WSIS is the largest ICT for development event, convened by 4 UN agencies. It is attended by over 2,000 delegates, including government, industry, IGOs and INGOs, civil society, etc.
Our workshop is part of the official WSIS programme. It will include 80 pre-selected education/technology stakeholders, with a focus on senior decision makers who need to find practical ways to scale up educational efforts to achieve the SDGs (and especially Target 4.7).
How will the workshop run?
We have 90 minutes and would like to include diverse voices and perspectives, so we are thinking of an interactive round table discussion with Q&A on key “burning” questions. We would like to highlight areas of convergence but also what the disparities are. We are open to suggestions and advice on the format and process, but keep in mind that this is a formal United Nations event.
How many participants?
The room has a capacity for 80 WSIS participants. In addition, we request your support to disseminate the remote participation invitation.
What do participants get to do?
In person and remote participants will be able to submit questions and comment the discussion.
Can we expect participants to bring devices and connect?
Yes, WSIS has embedded remote participation into every conference event and conference wifi at ITU is usually reliable.
Travel and accommodation costs
The Foundation cannot cover or reimburse travel and accommodation costs for this event. It is being organized entirely by volunteers.
Cost contributions
We have a number of activities to amplify the reach and impact of the workshop but these require funding. The Foundation welcomes partnership through both voluntary and cost contributions from organizations interested in supporting the workshop.