International Day of Education 2021

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, a majority of countries announced the temporary closure of schools. This decision affected more than 91% of students worldwide. As International Day of Education focuses global attention on this issue, what actions can we take to improve outcomes for all?

Hear local and international experts discuss how inclusive, quality education is critical to support the most vulnerable populations post-COVID. Achieving gender equality, breaking the cycle of poverty, and securing a peaceful and prosperous future for all, including the most vulnerable, are the desired outcomes of this ongoing conversation.

Presenters include Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO; Neel Kashkari, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; Justice Alan Page (retired), Founder/Chair, Page Educational Foundation; Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the California State Board of Education; and more.

Videos translated into American Sign Language with closed captioning appear as the final two videos on this page, one video for the Morning Sessions and one video for the Afternoon Sessions. All translations are courtesy of St. Cloud State University.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota
Audrey Azouley, Director General, UNESCO

Morning Sessions

Dr. David Edwards, General Secretary, Education International

Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the California State Board of Education, Head of Education Transition Team for the Biden Administration

Sondra Samuels, CEO and President, Northside Achievement Zone

Keynote Presentation

Justice Alan Page, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice (retired) and Founder/Chair of the Page Education Foundation
Neel Kashkari, President. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Afternoon Sessions

Featuring frontline reports from leaders shaping the future of education.

COVID-19’s Impact on Education and Creative Responses

Jack Dangermond, Founder and CEO, Esri
Atul Tandon, CEO, Opportunity International
Crystal Ikanih-Musa, Nigeria In-Country Representative, Malala Fund
Habiba Mohammed, Education Champion, Malala Fund, Center for Girl’s Education, Zaria Nigeria

COVID-19’s Impact on International Education and Exchange Programs

- - Karin Fischer, Senior Writer, Chronicle of Education
  - Katherine Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO, Global Ties U.S.
  - Maja Behrens, General Manager, Communicating for Agriculture Education Programs (CAEP)

Creative Support for Education

- - Amy Sheehan, Director, Talent Acquisition, Hormel Foods
  - Jim Sheehan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hormel Foods
  - Jennifer Bonine, Founder and CEO, AI AppStore and the RedRex Platform
  - Jennifer Williams, Ph.D., Co-Founder, TeachSDGs

Creating the Future of Learning

- - - - Melanie Brown, Senior Program Officer, Public Engagement and Insights, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
      - Kathleen Rogers, President, EARTHDAY.ORG