Tuesday 5 May, 13:30-15:00 BST
Addressing the persistent gaps between policy intentions and educational outcomes has become increasingly urgent in the current context of the global learning crisis, widening inequities, and pressures to deliver results under constrained resources and fast-evolving environments. There is increasing evidence that reforms often fall short not only because of weak objectives or technical design, but also due to implementation challenges and insufficient attention to what is happening in the classroom. Leading education change processes requires deliberate actions to make implementation happen. This is a dynamic, collaborative, and iterative process, rather than a linear sequence of events that follows policy design. Reforms must be continuously led, monitored, and adapted, and where necessary, course-corrected as circumstances change.
The debate will review the key drivers that support effective policy implementation, examining how major reforms can be successfully led, socially legitimised, and sustained.
Moderator:
- Martín Benavides, Director, UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO)
Speakers:
- Beatriz Pont, Global Training Team Lead, IIEP-UNESCO
- Kate Sturla, Senior Research Manager, What Works Hub for Global Education
- Samira Halabi, Senior Education Specialist, World Bank Group
- Oswald Koussihouèdé, Senior Education Policy Analyst, IIEP-UNESCO
- Raquel Teixeira, Secretary of Education, Rio Grande do Sul
The IIEP-UNESCO debates will take place on 5 May, 30 June, 29 September, and 17 November 2026, from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm Paris time. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French, and Spanish.