For more click here

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/171357-wise-doha-2011-nov-1-3-education-highest-return-for-economy-and-society.html

From left: Dr Jean-Eric Aubert, Coordinator with WISE Haiti Task Force, Dr Michele Pierre-Louis, former Prime Minister of Haiti and President of Fokal Foundation and Frannie Leautier, Executive Secretary of African Capacity Building Foundation during a session on day one of WISE summit.

DOHA: The opening plenary session of the third World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) yesterday discussed ‘Changing Societies, Changing Education.’

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, Qatar Foundation, took part in a panel debate with Dr Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York,  Naledi Pandor, South African Minister of Science and Technology and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, Columbia University. 

The discussion highlighted that education in driving economic development, which was described as an investment, not a cost; attaining access to high-quality education for all, and achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The second goal of the UN Millennium Development to achieve universal primary education was discussed in details especially the possibility of al  children completing  full course of primary schooling 2015, enrolment in primary education, completion of primary education and literacy of 15-24 year olds.

“Certainly not all countries in the world are going to reach it,” said Pandor.

“The Millennium Development Goals were very ambitious, but have assisted in focusing governments on what needs to be done,” she further said.

Professor Jeffrey said, “Education is the highest return for the economy and the highest return for society,”

He also explained that countries like Korea, China and Malaysia should play an creative role to support reaching the UN Millennium Development Goals in education.

The session explored interaction between education and other fields of activity in order to tackle challenges of development and growth, and to shape effective change. The participants discussed how can collaboration across national and sectoral boundaries be strengthen to address the most pressing needs in education.

In addition, the sessions throughout the day focused on how innovation occurs in a variety of sectors, and whether and how such models for change can inspire new strategies for education. Multisectoral collaboration was also examined to encourage and promote synergies and partnerships, in line with the WISE mission of opening up education to other fields.