US Education Experts to Address Global Summit

MANAMA, Bahrain, July 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation of US education experts are among an elite list set to address a global education summit in Bahrain this October, it was announced today.

Figures from Columbia University, Boston College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education will join those from the European Commission, 10 Downing Street and Microsoft at the Education Project 2010. The second occasion of the annual event - initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB) - runs from 8-10 October.

Other US speakers include Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools; Edward Fiske, former Education Editor of the New York Times; and Cindy Johanson, Executive Director of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Johanson, who has more than 20 years experience leading the design and expansion of digital services with a focus on education and engagement, said: "One of the topics for debate at the Education project 2010 in Bahrain will be the use of technology and entertainment to enhance learning. In light of extraordinary advancements in how we interact with each other, our system of education has been frustratingly slow to adapt. The George Lucas Educational Foundation was created to address this issue. By shining the spotlight on where such innovations are taking place, we hope others will consider how their work can promote change in their own schools."

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising the event, added: "Education is the single most important factor in bringing stability, productivity and prosperity to all societies. Our goal in Bahrain in establishing the Education Project was to bring together an international community of educators. To have such experts from the US on board - to offer their expertise in identifying practical solutions to address the gap in the global education system - will help to ensure a platform from which to further inspire positive change."

Despite increased government spending, education outcomes worldwide have declined over time. The Education project was established to share best practice and create a practical approach that educators can follow to make a difference. Hundreds of professionals from 36 countries joined together at the Education project 2009.

Tony Wagner, Co-Director of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education returns to the event having last year commented: "Even our 'best' schools are failing to prepare students for 21st-century careers and citizenship. It's time to hold ourselves and all of our students to a new and higher standard of rigour, defined according to 21st-century criteria. It's time for the teaching profession to advocate for accountability systems that will enable us to teach and test the skills that matter most. Our students' futures are at stake."

The event is free to attend for educational professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in education. Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register online visit: http://www.educationprojectbahrain.org

    Notes to editors
    Other speakers confirmed for the Education project 2010 include:

    - Charles Leadbeater, advisor to the government of Shanghai,
      European Commission and 10 Downing St, UK
    - Cindy Johanson, executive director, George Lucas Educational
      Foundation, USA
    - Edward B Fiske, former education editor, New York Times, USA
    - HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher
      Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates
    - Helen Ladd, Professor of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School of
      Public Policy, USA
    - Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public
      Schools, USA
    - David Hogan, Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, National
      Institute of Education, Singapore
    - Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder, KIPP
    - Mona Mourshed, Partner Middle East, McKinsey & Company, United
      Arab Emirates
    - Patrick Griffin, Executive Director, Assessment and Teaching of
      21st Century Skills, AT21C & University of Melbourne, Australia
    - Ralph Tabberer, Chief School Officer, GEMS, United Arab Emirates
    - Steven Joel Trachtenberg, former President of George Washington
      University and author of Big Man on Campus, USA
    - Tom Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of
      Education, USA
    - Tony Wagner, Co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard
      Graduate School of Education

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit http://www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit http://www.bahrain.com

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The Experience by Richard Attias is a strategic experiential communications firm and event management company founded by Richard Attias, the man behind the production of the Davos Forum for over 13 years and the creator and producer of the Nobel Laureates Conference, the Monaco Media Forum, the Global Clinton Initiative and, most recently, the New York Forum, which fosters economic discussion among top business leaders and investors. The Experience by Richard Attias has offices in NY, Paris, Dubai, Jeddah and coming soon to China.

    Further information

    Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board
    Tel: +973-17-589-930
    Email: [email protected]

    Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger
    Tel: +44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689
    Email: [email protected]

    Doreen Bonnami, The Experience
    Tel: +1-212-794-8801 x1105
    Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)