8:00 - 9:00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

9:00 - 9:10

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education of Poland

Maciej Jakubowski, Director of the Educational Research Institute, Poland

9:10 - 9:50

Keynote Speech

Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research, Estonia

9:50 - 11:20

Future of Education and Skills: the Relationship between Curriculum Design and Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning. A Masterclass.

A growing availability of data and evidence serves to better inform curriculum designers What should guide curriculum design? In this session, leading global experts will explore the critical relationship between curriculum design and evidence-based teaching and learning. This session will delve into how innovative curriculum frameworks can enhance student outcomes when combined with rigorous assessment and evidence-driven teaching strategies. The speakers will highlight best practices from international education systems, sharing insights drawn from extensive research and initiatives such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the pan-European qualifications framework. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how data and research can inform curriculum reforms that better equip students with the skills needed for the future and will be invited to discuss the issue with the speakers. 

Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, France

Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development at Cambridge Assessment, UK

Maciej Jakubowski, Director of the Educational Research Institute, will moderate this session.

11:20 - 11:50

Refreshments & Networking

11:50 - 13:20

Balancing Educational Outcomes through Relevant Curriculum

This session discussion will explore critical issues in education reform, focusing on how different countries are addressing the balance between student achievement and well-being, while also promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Drawing from innovative policy frameworks in Portugal, Ireland, and Poland, this session will highlight the latest reforms and initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive and effective education systems. Attendees will gain insights into how these countries are leading the way in transforming education to meet the needs of diverse contemporary learners. Each speaker will present their country’s approach to education reform, followed by an interactive discussion that engages the audience. The format will encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas, with opportunities for audience members to ask questions and share their own perspectives. 

João Costa, Director of the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education and Former Minister of Education, Portugal

Brian MacGiollaphádraig, Assistant Chief Inspector in the Department of Education, Ireland 

Tomasz Gajderowicz, Director for Research at the Educational Research Institute, will moderate this session.

13:20 -14:20

 Lunch

14:20 - 15:50

Curriculum Innovation: Building Inclusive Pathways for Lifelong Learning

As educational systems worldwide face the need for transformation, the session will delve into the complexities of reforming curricula to better align with the current social demands, while fostering student well-being, academic achievement, and a growth mindset. Discussions will focus on the integration of academic and personal development, ensuring that education equips students with not only essential knowledge and skills but also the attitudes and agency needed to navigate an unpredictable world. Participants will explore the connections between primary, secondary, and higher education, with a focus on how schools, universities, and other social stakeholders can collaborate on developing innovative, evidence-based, student-centred pedagogies, aligning assessments, and preparing students for the future labour market. As part of this discussion, the session will touch upon Poland’s recent educational reforms as a case study, highlighting how these efforts aim to address challenges in student well-being and academic performance, as revealed by recent PISA data. .

Jennifer Valcke, Educational Developer and Researcher at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Tim Surma, Head of the Centre of Expertise Education and Learning at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

Peter Fagerström, Leader of the Digital Education Accelerator for the European Commission's European Digital Education Hub, Educraftor, Finland 

Maciej Jakubowski, Director of the Educational Research Institute, Poland  

15:50 - 16:30

Concluding remarks by Tomasz Gajderowicz, Deputy Director for Research at the Educational Research Institute, Poland

Empowerment in Action: Schools Supporting Student Agency

Workshop Leaders: Marcin Marciniak-Mierzejewski IBE, Katarzyna Pająk-Załęska IBE

Teacher Development: A Holistic Approach to Professional Support

Workshop Leaders: Ewa Frołow IBE, Joanna Biskup IBE, Dorota Obidniak ZNP, Michał Rostworowski IBE

Vocational Education and Training for Modern Challenges

Workshop Leader: Maciej Tauber IBE

Background documents:

OECD Learning Compass 2030

Curriculum Flexibility and Autonomy: Promoting a Thriving Learning Environment

Background documents:

Curriculum Overload: A Way Forward

Background documents:

OECD Learning Compass 2030

Career without Barriers: Counseling for Diversity

Workshop Leaders: Karolina Malinowska IBE, Tomasz Kasprzak IBE, Bernadetta Czerkawska IBE

Effective Pedagogies Supporting Multilingual and Multicultural Learners

Workshop Leaders: Beata Papuda-Dolińska IBE, Anna Błaszczak IBE

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Vocational Schools.

Workshop Leader: Ziemowit Socha IBE

Background documents:

Adapting Curriculum to Bridge Equity Gaps: Towards an Inclusive Curriculum

Background documents: 

Embedding Values and Attitudes in Curriculum: Shaping a Better Future

Background documents: 

What Students Learn Matters: Towards a 21st Century Curriculum