UPDATE: Over 500 changemakers from more than 50 countries convened in Hong Kong today for the annual Yidan Prize Summit, focusing on urgent reforms in education. This international gathering underscores a powerful commitment to reshaping educational landscapes amid pressing global challenges.
The Summit, themed “Education at a crossroads: Co-creating paths forward for a brighter future,” kicked off with a poignant moment of silence honoring victims of the recent Tai Po fire. Leaders from various sectors, including educators, NGO representatives, and youth activists, have come together to chart a collective course aimed at enhancing education worldwide.
Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “We do this knowing that what we can achieve together far outweighs anything we each do alone.” His remarks highlight the Summit’s goal of fostering a global learning community that listens and learns from one another.
The Summit spans two days, featuring vital discussions on topics such as navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence in education, the role of edtech in driving change, and cultivating leadership at all levels. Notable speakers include Professor Ju-Ho Lee, former Minister for Education of South Korea, and Dr. Fengchun Miao, UNESCO’s lead on AI and education. These discussions aim to inspire actionable insights and strategies for educators worldwide.
On the second day, attendees were moved by enlightening stories from three Yidan Prize laureates: Dr. Rukmini Banerji, Professor Usha Goswami, and Angeline Murimirwa, who shared their journeys as education changemakers alongside Olympian-turned-educator Yvette Kong and youth leader Anna Yao.
Throughout the Summit, the Yidan Prize Foundation also co-hosted knowledge exchange events. One significant forum, “From Global Opportunities to Local Action,” brought together experts to discuss Hong Kong’s potential as an international education hub. Dr. Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation, and Bruce Au, Secretary-General of the Yidan Prize Foundation, opened the forum, setting the stage for impactful discussions on cross-cultural collaboration.
Today marks the official recognition of the 2025 Yidan Prize laureates, who received their medals. Professor Uri Wilensky, the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Research laureate, shared his vision of making computational thinking a fundamental literacy for all learners. Meanwhile, Mamadou Amadou Ly, the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Development laureate, discussed his work in West Africa, advocating for multilingual education as a key to unlocking potential and preserving cultural heritage.
The Yidan Prize Foundation aims to create a better world through education, and this Summit is a pivotal moment for driving forward innovative ideas that can transform lives. The urgency for educational reform has never been more apparent, and the collective efforts of these leaders signal a promising path forward.
As the world watches, the outcomes of the Yidan Prize Summit could shape the future of education globally. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative event.
