1,000 global leaders to attend the first ever World Innovation Summit for Education

This pioneering idea, initiated by the Qatar Foundation under the patronage of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, will take place in Doha, Qatar on November 16th-18th, 2009.

During three days, WISE will endeavour to bring together multi-disciplinary thinking that will enable a global educational network to think differently, implement change and collectively meet the many educational challenges facing us.

In this inaugural year, the central theme of the summit will focus on "Global Education: Working Together for Sustainable Achievements", which will be complemented by sub-themes of Pluralism, Sustainability and Innovation.

"Education systems have been frustratingly slow to adapt and respond in an integrated and coordinated way, despite extraordinary advancements in how we as individuals interact with each other and the world"

explains Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Chairman of WISE and Vice President of Education, Qatar Foundation.

"WISE first edition will bring together 1,000 world leaders to explore experiment and establish new ways to anticipate and provide the educational evolutions, competences and patterns of tomorrow. It is critical that graduates from the next generation are equipped to think beyond their borders, and to meaningfully compete, connect, and cooperate with their peers on a global scale," Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani added.

Through a comprehensive programme schedule that includes plenary and break out sessions, participants will share and generate new ideas, best practices and experimental programs across the educational sphere.

Qatar Foundation has sent this week first WISE invitations to international influential leaders (academics, international institutions, NGO associations, grassroots movements, private sector, top tier media influencers, multimedia, arts, culture and other creative communities) with stakes in education.