#Hong Kong #Yidan Prize Foundation #Dr. Charles Yidan #Resilience in Education

Yidan Prize Summit 2024: Building Resilience in Education

The Yidan Prize Foundation, a leading global philanthropic organization, hosted the Yidan Prize Summit 2024 on December 9 in Hong Kong. This year’s summit was held under the theme Future-proofing Education: The Essential Role of Resilience, a timely exploration into innovative strategies to bolster resilience among learners, educators, and educational systems in an ever-evolving landscape.

The Importance of Resilience in Education

In his opening remarks, Dr. Charles Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the pivotal role resilience plays in education. He stated, “In a world where civilization and technology progress parallelly, resilience is rooted in hope. It inspires us to strive for a better life, fulfill our potential, and never give up.” He underlined the connection between resilient individuals and thriving economies, asserting that resilience is crucial for the future of education.

Alicia Herbert, the Director of Education, Gender, and Equality at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, delivered a keynote speech focusing on systematically promoting resilience in education to prepare for uncertainties. She noted the emerging quality research aimed at enhancing student outcomes in low-income areas, emphasizing the need to embed these practices into state systems for lasting impact. “While effective investments are essential, collaboration is key to strengthening the resilience of individuals, educators, and entire systems for sustainable change,” Herbert stated.

The Role of AI and Technology in Education

The summit featured a guest lecture by Professor Zongkai Yang, President of the Wuhan University of Technology, demonstrating how AI-driven learning can enhance educational outcomes. He explained that AI can assist educators with co-teaching, data analysis, and problem-solving, giving students improved competency development for future skills. The summit included three panels discussing resilience from the perspectives of learners, educators, and systems.

Key insights included:
1. Empowering Learners Through Collaboration: The first panel focused on conveying the skills students need to thrive within co-created systems. Engaging in dialogue with students, utilizing new digital platforms, and fostering learning environments beyond classrooms were identified as essential methods to engage students effectively.

2. Building Educator Resilience: Former New South Wales Education Minister Adrian Piccoli led discussions on involving teachers more profoundly in educational reforms. The panel stressed the importance of creating supportive environments that nurture educators' emotional and social skills, ultimately fostering a resilient education system.

3. Integrating Perspectives for Stronger Education Systems: This panel addressed the necessity of connecting research, policy, and practice. Dr. Becky Telford from UNHCR and her fellow panelists emphasized the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as refugees, in effective solution development and highlighted the importance of governance and international partnerships.

The Intersection of Education and Climate Resilience

The summit also included enlightening conversations with this year’s Yidan Prize winners, such as Professors Wolfgang Lutz and Mark Jordans from War Child Alliance. They addressed how education can enhance climate resilience, arguing that addressing climate change requires investments not only in material infrastructure but also in human capital for climate adaptability.

War Child Alliance's team presented their initiative Can't Wait to Learn, which offers access to quality education to students affected by conflicts. They conveyed that such programs also enhance learners’ well-being and resilience, instilling a sense of normalcy and hope.

Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility

At the summit's conclusion, Lucy Lake, Director of Global Engagement at the Yidan Prize Foundation, made a poignant statement regarding the link between education and resilience. “Education is key to fostering resilience at both individual and societal levels. However, we must ensure education itself is resilient. This comes with collective responsibility—education should be viewed as a shared good and adequately funded through public resources.”

To honor those dedicated to equitable and high-quality education, the Yidan Prize 2024 awarded individuals and teams that have significantly contributed to educational theory and practice. Nominations for the Yidan Prize 2025 are open until March 31, 2025, inviting changemakers in the realm of education to contribute to transformative initiatives in this vital sector.

For further details, visit Yidan Prize Website.