Global Dialogue convenes international education community to discuss transforming education systems

Global Dialogue is designed to convene important conversations within the education and international communities, about how improving education and skills outcomes can increase life chances around the world. This year’s event invited attendees to consider the theme ‘Transforming education systems: How can effective education policy ensure positive outcomes for all children and young people?’

Speakers and guests enjoyed rich discussions around the education lifecycle, including early childhood education, school-aged learning, and transitioning from school to further education or work. Participants also examined some of the key ingredients required for effective education: technology, professionalism, and leadership.

We were proud to welcome several global thought leaders to our panels. In the morning plenary session, we heard from three speakers, Professor Kathy Sylva (Oxford University), Dr Richard Churches (Director of Research at EDT), and Dr Chris Percy (Consultant), in the order of the education lifecycle, followed by a panel discussion hosted by our Chief Education & Skills Officer, Tony McAleavy. 

We followed this session with deep dive workshops, still focusing on the education lifecycle. Participants chose to attend one of three interactive sessions: 

• Early childhood education  
• School effectiveness and improvement  
• Transitions from school into employment or further learning. 

Structuring the content in this way gave delegates the opportunity to discuss effective system-wide policy. The groups were challenged to consider barriers to effective provision (i.e. policy problems), and examples of practical ways of responding to these challenges (i.e. promising practice). 

The afternoon session picked up the same format as the morning plenary, with the theme shifting to some of the key accelerators for success in transforming education. We heard from Charles Radman (Global Head of Education at HP Inc) on technology, Dr Victoria Cook (Lead Researcher at The Chartered College of Teaching) on workforce professionalism, and Maggie Farrar CBE on compassionate leadership. 

As well as our speakers, we were joined by a variety of guests, from international governments to funding organisations, to clients and partners that we work with both in the UK and around the world. 

Global Dialogue 2025 was a fantastic day full of broad and insightful discussions around issues affecting education internationally, and how we can make the biggest difference. Thank you to all our speakers and participants for your expert contributions, and we are looking forward to continuing the conversation – and assessing global progress – at next year’s event.