The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) concluded successfully yesterday following a multi-day agenda that included insightful presentations and discussion sessions with distinguished guests from around the globe.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) was Gold Sponsor of the event as part of its efforts to support initiatives that help Qatar realise the Qatar National Vision 2030 and further develop various economic sectors, particularly education.

Held under the theme "Co-Exist, Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together", the summit launched on Tuesday 14 November and was officially opened by H.H. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, on Wednesday 15 November. Emine Erdoğan, Turkey's First Lady, and more than 2,000 experts, specialists, researchers and professionals from the education sector attended the opening event alone.

The SC participated in a number of activities during the two-day event, including a dedicated booth at the "Meet Qatar Zone" that introduced visitors to Qatar's key institutions in the education sector. A number of SC representatives also took part in different sessions.

These included Samantha Sifah, Head of Community Outreach, who participated in the "Autism: Exploring Optimal Policies and Services for Lifelong Care" discussion panel, and Dr. Fadi Makki, Leader of the Qatar Behavioural Insights Unit, who moderated a discussion panel titled "Behavioural Strategies: Nudging For Right Education Choices".

His session looked into ways in which a policy 'nudge' can have a positive behavioural impact and persuade people to make better choices, as well as the role that behavioural nudges can play in improving teacher and learner performance and motivation.

The SC also had a booth for its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Generation Amazing, which uses the power of football to inspire and accelerate development by empowering people to create united, healthy and sustainable societies.

The booth introduced visitors to the programme, which gives workers, schoolchildren and vulnerable people the skills and means to effect social change in their communities. Spanish footballing legend Xavi, who is a Generation Amazing ambassador, visited the booth, discussed the programme's importance with the students participating, and even took part in various activities himself.

Commenting on the SC's participation at WISE, SC Communications Director Fatma Al Nuaimi said: "We strongly believe in the importance of utilising the FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for development in a number of areas, including human development. Our participation in this year's edition of WISE forms part of our efforts to support education through sport and drive the latest innovations in this regard.

"Through initiatives such as this, we hope to expand our ability to impact social development and demonstrate the transformative effect the 2022 FIFA World Cup is having on this region".

Mead Al Emadi, Manager of Local and Regional CSR, added: "Education forms a key element of the SC's legacy plans and our involvement in WISE helped to introduce visitors to our various initiatives in this area.

"It also helped us build our network with local and international organisations that offer collaboration opportunities, all in order to help us fulfil our mission of hosting a unique World Cup tournament that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come".

This year's edition of WISE aimed to address the most pressing issues and challenges facing the global education sector today, especially in light of the conflicts leaving many communities around the world disenfranchised and disadvantaged.

It involved leading researchers, specialists, experts, creatives and academics in the education, media, charity, technology and social entrepreneurship sectors, who together discussed the best solutions to these challenges and offered recommendations on how to create positive social change around the world through education.

Participants in the summit also got the opportunity to participate in a number of practical workshops organised by leading organisations from around the world. These included a highly productive interactive session on the future of education and the best ways to accelerate its development.

In addition, schoolchildren aged 12-14 years old and their teachers participated in an Experiential Learning Zone organised by the SC, The Little Engineer initiative from Lebanon, the Cultural Infusion enterprise from Australia and the ibTECHar company from Qatar that aimed to support creativity, learning, and collaboration through innovative experiences.

WISE is a Qatar Foundation initiative that was launched in 2009 with the aim of enhancing and promoting innovation within the global education sector by bringing together teachers, decision makers, and influential experts from all fields of public and private sectors to harness their experience in addressing evolving education challenges.