Empire State Review Team 
New York City, November 12, 2024 — World leaders, educators, and policymakers gathered in New York City today for the opening of the Global Education Summit, a three-day conference aimed at addressing disparities in education and exploring innovative solutions to global learning challenges.
The summit, held at the United Nations Headquarters and Columbia University, features keynote speeches by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Education is the foundation of peace, prosperity, and progress,” said Guterres in his opening remarks.
Panels and workshops will cover topics such as bridging the digital divide, promoting gender equality in education, and adapting learning systems to climate change. A notable highlight is the unveiling of a global initiative to provide free digital textbooks to underserved communities worldwide, spearheaded by NYC-based nonprofit TeachForward.
Students from local schools participated in the summit through a youth engagement program, offering their perspectives on the challenges facing their generation. “It’s inspiring to be part of something that could change lives around the world,” said high school senior Aisha Khan, who spoke on a panel about youth activism.
The summit is expected to result in significant international commitments to improve access to education and is seen as a milestone in advancing global learning equity.
