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Yidan Prize Summit 2024: A Vision for Resilient Education

On December 9, 2024, the Yidan Prize Foundation, the global philanthropic organization known for its prestigious educational awards, hosted the Yidan Prize Summit 2024 in Hong Kong. This year’s theme, "Education for the Future: The Crucial Role of Resilience," provided a significant platform for researchers, policymakers, philanthropists, and education leaders to exchange ideas on innovative ways to enhance resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Insights from Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, shared his perspective on resilience. He stated, “In today’s world, as civilization and technology evolve in tandem, resilience rests on hope. It drives us to strive for a better life, realize our potential, and persist.” He emphasized that resilience is essential for the future of education, establishing that resilient individuals contribute to a sustainable economy and thriving societies.

Keynote Speech by Alicia Herbert

Alicia Herbert, the Director of Education, Gender and Equality, and Special Envoy for Gender Equality at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, delivered a keynote address on systematically fostering resilience in education. She highlighted the need for educational reforms to adapt to uncertain futures, asserting that investing in research-based strategies is crucial for enhancing educational outcomes in low-income contexts. Collaboration emerged as a key factor for fostering resilience in educators and educational systems.

The Role of AI in Education

During the guest workshop, Professor Zongkai Yang, President of Wuhan University of Technology, demonstrated how artificial intelligence (AI) enhances collaborative learning, data analysis, and problem-solving for educators while equipping students with essential future-oriented skills. The discussions revealed that promoting dialogue with students, leveraging digital platforms, and creating engaging learning environments are vital for nurturing resilience.

Three Expert Groups Discuss Resilience

The summit featured discussions among three expert groups focused on the roles of students, teachers, and systems in building resilience:

1. Student-Centered Resilience: The educational impacts of COVID-19 were a focal point, emphasizing the importance of engaging students in meaningful dialogue and utilizing new tools for learning. The group examined strategies for empowering students to navigate an unpredictable future confidently.

2. Teacher Empowerment: Former Education Minister Adrian Piccoli from New South Wales, Australia, facilitated discussions on the critical engagement of teachers in education reforms. The group stressed the need for supportive environments that nurture the emotional and social potential of educators, enabling them to play a more significant role in promoting educational resilience.

3. Integrating Diverse Perspectives: Dr. Becky Telford from UNHCR underscored the necessity of including marginalized groups in educational solutions, particularly refugees. The dialogue highlighted the importance of collaboration and integrating education with health and environmental initiatives to address current and emerging challenges.

Conversations with Yidan Prize Awardees

The summit also featured informal conversations with this year’s Yidan Prize laureates, Professor Wolfgang Lutz, and representatives from the War Child Alliance. Wolfgang emphasized the value of education in enhancing climate resilience, noting that combating climate change extends beyond infrastructure; it includes investing in human capital to foster adaptability.

The War Child team discussed their initiative "Can't Wait to Learn," which seeks to expand access to quality education for those affected by conflict and climate disasters, thereby enhancing students’ well-being and resilience.

Conclusion of the Summit

Lucy Lake, Director of Global Engagement at the Yidan Prize Foundation, concluded the summit by reflecting on the interconnectedness of education and resilience. “Education is key to enhancing resilience at both the individual and societal levels. However, we must also ensure the durability of education itself. We all share a role in this matter,” she asserted, calling for collective responsibility and adequate public funding to secure positive educational outcomes.

The Yidan Prize Awards 2024 ceremony held on December 8 recognized pioneering work in providing equitable and quality education across various contexts. The nominations for the 2025 Yidan Prize are open until March 31, 2025. For more details on the awards or to nominate change-makers in education, visit Yidan Prize Nominations.

About the Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic organization dedicated to creating a better world through education. Through its awards and network of innovators, it supports transformative educational ideas and methodologies. The Yidan Prize is the highest global award for education, celebrating individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to educational theory and practice. Each award includes an unlimited project fund of HKD 15 million over three years to scale their work, plus a gold medal and a personal cash award.

For more information, visit Yidan Prize Foundation or contact [email protected].