The Global Student Forum (GSF) is proud to announce its representation as a full member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on the Teaching Profession. This significant appointment comes as the United Nations builds on the outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit held in September 2022.
The High-level Panel will be co-chaired by Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia, and Paula-Mae Weekes, former President of Trinidad and Tobago. Comprising experts from ministries of education and labour, teachers, students, representatives of teacher unions, civil society, the private sector, and academia, the panel will work in collaboration with the joint UNESCO-ILO Secretariat.
Education plays a vital role in achieving sustainable development, protecting human rights, and fostering peace. However, the world is currently facing a global learning crisis, and education systems are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing world. Teachers, as the single most influential factor in achieving learning outcomes, are facing numerous challenges. From a persistent global teacher shortage to concerns about their role in an increasingly digital learning environment, the job of teaching has become increasingly demanding.
The High-level Panel will build upon the discussions held at the Transforming Education Summit and provide recommendations to ensure that every learner has access to a professionally trained, qualified, and well-supported teacher. Their report, expected by the end of November, will contribute to broader efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 and support preparations for the 2024 Summit of the Future.
The Global Student Forum is thrilled to be part of this influential panel and looks forward to contributing to the advancement of education transformation worldwide.
List of Members of High-level Panel on the Teaching Profession:
Co-Chairs:
- Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia
- Paula-Mae Weekes, former President of Trinidad and Tobago
Members:
- Ligia Deca, Minister of Education, Romania
- Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower, Indonesia
- Matsie Angelina Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, South Africa
- Jaime Perczyk, Minister of Education, Argentina
- Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Commission
- Sebastien Berger, Executive Director, Global Student Forum
- Gerhard F. Braun, Chair, German Employers Association’s Education Committee
- Mamadou Cellou Souare, La Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Guinée
- Linda Darling-Hammond, President and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute and Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Emeritus at Stanford University
- Susan Hopgood, President, Education International
- Gorgui Sow, Independent Education Policy and Advocacy Specialist
- Manal Hdaife, Primary School Principal, Lebanon, and Chair of the Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure of Education International
- Mike Thiurman, General Secretary of the Singapore Teachers Union
- Denise Vaillant, Academic Director, Institute of Education, ORT University (Uruguay), and Chair of the Joint ILO–UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel
- Andria Zafirakou, Winner of 2018 Global Teacher Prize, United Kingdom
Ex-officio Members:
- Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
- Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of ILO
- Leonardo Garnier, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on follow-up to the Transforming Education Summit
