A trio of Indian education experts are among an elite list set to address a global education summit in Bahrain this October, it was announced today. Kailash Satyarthi, President of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE); Kiran Bir Sethi, Founder of the Riverside School in Ahmedabad; and Sudhir Ghodke, Director of Educational Initiatives (EI), will join speakers from Harvard University, 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.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising the event, said, '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 India 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 last year. In October, leading figures from academia, business and politics will again take the stage; Satyarthi, Sethi and Ghodke will offer valuable insight. Satyarthi's life and work has been the subject of much international acclaim. Synonymous with the crusade against child slavery, he played an important role in linking the fight against child labour with efforts for achieving the Dakar goals of 'Education for All'. He has previously addressed the UN General Assembly, UNESCO's High Level Group on Education and the biggest international congregations of teachers and students. Today he leads GCE's campaign for the mobilisation of global resources for basic education.
