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Experts from UNESCO contributed to the reflection on educational transformation in the Southeast Asian region, through an online forum that took place between 24-26 May. Against the backdrop of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and faced with the challenges of the digitalization and inequity in education, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) organized the Forum to explore steps to invest in the future of education. It brought together high-level officials from ASEAN Member States, national development partners, education experts and thought leaders from multilateral organizations and as drivers for advancing inclusive and equitable societies.

The Forum drew inspiration from the UNESCO 2021 publication of “”, which also looks towards 2050. This once-in-a generation report is a call for dialogue to design a new social contract for education that aims to rebuild our relationship with each other, with the planet, and with technology.

The keynote address of the UNESCO Director for the Futures of Learning and Innovation, Sobhi Tawil, on “Reimagining Education and Lifelong Learning” drew on the analysis of global societal trends and the principles outlined in the report in order to spark debate in the ASEAN context. “Education, by definition, is about linking the past, the present and our perceptions of the future. We often speak of probable futures, based on current trends but there is also increasing discussion of possible alternative futures that we hope to and aspire to, and for which education is essential in shaping.” He highlighted the importance of lifelong learning and the need to encourage innovation in education.

Carlos Vargas, Chief of the Section for Teacher Development and Head of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 Secretariat presented a keynote address specifically on “The role of teachers in transforming education”. He emphasized the importance of providing teachers with the support, autonomy and trust they need to contribute to the transformation of education: “The role teachers can play goes beyond teaching - they can help shape education systems and contribute to policy development. They are key agents of change but require support to realize their full potential.”

Investing in the future of education was a critical issue identified in the , convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in September 2022 - the most significant recent international processes in reimagining, renewing and transforming education.

Within the Asia-Pacific context, Ministers of Education of the region have already identified disruptions, such as digitalization and climate change, which are predicted to have significant implications for education. These priorities were identified at the second Asia-Pacific Regional Education Minister’s Conference (APREMCII) in June 2022 and outlined in the . The ten Member States of ASEAN are currently engaged in reflection on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, with a view to developing an ASEAN Education 2050 Roadmap. The Forum, therefore, aimed to garner future-oriented insights, recommendations, and pathways for the transformation of education, specific to the region. It built on two existing documents that outline priorities for the region – the world of work and the opportunities of digitalization - 2020 ASEAN Declaration on Human Resource Development (HRD) for the Changing World of Work and the 2022 Declaration on the Digital Transformation of Educational Systems in ASEAN. UNESCO will continue to support ASEAN and countries of the region to transform education in view of shaping more inclusive and sustainable futures.

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