ECOSOC CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM

Building Public-Private Partnerships for Education Through Science, Technology and Innovation

Thursday the 16th May 2013, 10:00AM - 1:00PM

United Nations Headquarters, ECOSOC Chambers, Conference Building, 2ND Floor

Significant progress has been made toward universal education throughout the past decade, especially by developing nations. Yet, in the 2011 Ministerial Declaration, the United Nations Economic and Social Council also acknowledged areas of insufficient progress in achieving the "Education for All" goals: quality of education, early childhood care and education, development of skills and curriculum, and adult literacy rates. UNESCO data show that progress on reducing the number of children out of school is stalling with over 72 million children of school age still not enrolled in school. A more effective and efficient international cooperation and collaborative cross-sector involvement of society, government and private sector are necessary to sustain the progress to date and to achieve these the goal of “Education for All” and the Millennium Development Goals.

In the same Declaration, ECOSOC called on strengthening public policies for the provision of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for education, such as incorporation of ICT in teacher training and educational management, and the use of innovative ICT educational platforms that draw on advances in mobile education, open resources and social networks focused on advancing education. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are a powerful engine that generates education that is relevant to the current information-driven world and sets high standards for the content quality. STI has lead some of the most innovative and promising educational products, services, platforms and schooling strategies across the world. In July 2013, ECOSOC will hold its Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) on the theme “Science, technology and innovation, and the potential of culture, for promoting sustainable development and achieving MDGs.” In the context of the 2013 AMR, this Forum brings forward leaders in STI and Education to discuss the STI’s role in advancing education for the achievement of MDGs and development of the post-2015 agenda.

OPENING REMARKS 10:00AM Introduction

Slobodan Damiyano, President of the Global Millennium Development Foundation in partnership with the World Association of Former United Nations Internes and Fellows

10:05AM Welcome Address H.E. Nestor Osorio, President of the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations

10:15AM A Transcendental Turn: Our Wishes for Global Higher Education Byongjin Ahn, Vice President, Kyung Hee Cyber University

10:30AM Using Education and Technology to Promote Social Inclusion and Development Danilo Parmegiani, Legion of Good Will Brazil

10:45AM How to Build Alliances to Enhance Education through ICT: Plan Ceibal’s Model

Laura Bianchi, Advisor to the Promotion of the Social Values of the TIC., Ceibal Center for Children and Youth Education Support - Plan Ceibal

PANEL SPEAKERS

11:00AM Introduction to the Panel Borko Furht, Ph.D., Moderator, Chairman & Professor, Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University

11:10AM .edu: Technology's Impact on the Longstanding Education Industry

Daniel Cane, Co-Founder of Blackboard, CEO of Modernizing Medicine

11:20AM Transforming Global Medical Education Pete Martinez, Chairman of the Board, Palm Beach Medical Education Company

11:30AM Mobile Broadband Technology's Role for Expanded Education Access Jaime Borras, Chief Technology Officer of Mobile Technology Consortium

11:40AM Innovation in Global Education: Digital Library, Online Gaming, Online Courses

Hari Kalva, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University

11:50AM Investing in Tech to Advance Education: Credentialing, Retention, Engagement Matt Greenfield, Managing Partner of Rethink Education

12:00PM Education Outside the Classroom: Infrastructure of Support Marco Fishben, CEO of Descomplica, Tech x Education Entrepreneur, Brazil

12:10PM Equipping Teachers and Inspiring Students with Google’s Innovations

Cristin Frodella, Group Manager of Education at Google, Google

12:20PM Closing Remarks: Review of Forum Borko Furht, Ph.D., Moderator, Chairman & Professor, FAU

12:30PM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1:00PM FORUM ADJOURNS