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Yidan Prize Foundation Summit: A Global Perspective on Education

The Yidan Prize Foundation, headquartered in Hong Kong, recently organized its annual summit, bringing together over 500 educators, youth representatives, and NGO leaders from more than 50 countries across six continents. This year’s event, held on December 6, 2025, addressed the theme of 'Transforming Education Together: Charting Paths to a Brighter Future.'

Participants included prominent voices in education and social reform, united in their commitment to harnessing educational potential for societal benefit. Prior to the official opening of the summit, an emotional moment was observed where attendees paid tribute to the victims of a recent fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong. This gesture set the stage for a week dedicated to in-depth discussions on urgent educational issues, enhanced by the involvement of various local and international stakeholders.

Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the importance of community and collaboration during his keynote speech, stating, "We understand that together, we can achieve much more than alone. As a global educational community, we are paving the way to a brighter future together."

Key Discussions and Insights

The summit’s first day focused on key issues such as maintaining humanity in the age of artificial intelligence, opportunities and challenges in educational technology, and the significance of synergy and collaboration in effecting change. Esteemed speakers included former acting president of South Korea, Dr. Ju-Ho Lee, and UNESCO’s leading specialist on AI and the future of education, Dr. Fengchun Miao. These discussions aimed to explore how leadership at all levels can influence educational reform.

Engaging panels moderated by Yvette Kong and Anna Yao, featuring Yidan Prize laureates such as Dr. Rukmini Banerji and Professor Usha Goswami, highlighted personal transformation journeys as educators. These narratives served to inspire other attendees by showcasing diverse pathways to educational impact.

The second day of the summit displayed transformative examples from different educational contexts. During a panel discussion, Yidan Prize winners shared their insights on their pivotal moments and the changes they champion. Notably, Dr. Rukmini Banerji, who has made significant contributions to education in India, shared her experiences on how localized efforts can drive meaningful outcomes.

Additionally, forums were held on localizing global opportunities, led by the Our Hong Kong Foundation, allowing experts to discuss Hong Kong's role as an international education hub. Dr. Jane Lee, the foundation’s president, and Bruce Au, Secretary General of Yidan Prize Foundation, joined the discourse, illustrating Hong Kong’s potential for cross-cultural cooperation and innovation in education.

Recognition of Educational Reformers

The summit culminated in the official awarding of the 2025 Yidan Prize medals—marking the culmination of a series of educational events dedicated to celebrating the achievements of awardees and the wider educational community. Professor Uri Wilensky, the 2025 Yidan Prize winner for Education Research, shared his vision for democratizing computational thinking, advocating for its inclusion in every student's foundational literacy.

Mamadou Amadou Ly, who won the Yidan Prize for Education Development, highlighted his work in West Africa, showcasing how multilingual education can unlock potential, preserve culture, and create a more equitable future.

About the Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the world through education. The Yidan Prize, recognized as the world’s premier educational award, honors individuals and groups who have made substantial contributions to educational theory and practice. The prize consists of two interconnected awards: the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development. Each laureate receives a project fund amounting to HKD 15 million over three years, alongside a gold medal and additional prize money, equitably distributed among their teams.

For more information on the Yidan Prize Foundation and its initiatives, visit yidanprize.org or follow them on social media platforms @yidanprize.