Today’s young people face tremendous challenges, such as lack of internet connection to attend online classes during COVID-19 or reduced job prospects due to automation and an economic downturn. During the 75th annual United Nations General Assembly in 2020, business and philanthropy leaders responded to the urgent call to focus on education amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the Unlock Big Change – Education: the key to a better future event.

Leaders from companies and foundations – like Deloitte, the Intel Foundation, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation – gathered alongside government officials, education experts, and youth activists to stress the essential role the private sector must play in providing quality and inclusive education for all.

Missed an #UnlockBigChange panel or want to share a session with your team? View each session recording below.

Unlocking Skills for the Future

Experts explore the future of work, the challenges girls and women face, and the potential partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Featured Session Speakers:

• Ousmane Ba – Global Youth Ambassador, Theirworld
• Jude Kelly – Director, WOW Foundation
• Kwasi Mitchell – Principal Diversity & Inclusion, Lead Deloitte
• Pia Wilson-Body – President, Intel Foundation

Unlocking Early Childhood Education

The importance of early childhood education is evident, but what will it take to ensure accessible preschool for all?

Featured Session Speakers:

• Alice Albright – CEO, Global Partnership for Education
• Saima W.Hossain – Chairperson, Shuchona Foundation, Chairperson, National Advisory Committee for Autism
• Peter Laugham – President and CEO, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
• Eden Tadesse – Global Youth Ambassador, Theirworld

Unlocking Education in Emergencies

Leaders discuss the state of refugee education globally, youth-led innovations, and solutions to unlock education in emergencies.

Featured Session Speakers:

• Annemiek Hoogenboom – Country Director, People’s Postcode Lottery
• Janez Lenarčič -Commissioner for Crisis Management, European Commission
• Emanuel “Boo Milton” – Creator, SparkBox
• Yasmine Sherif – Director, Education Cannot Wait

Featured Speakers

Unlocking Finance for Education

Education funding is at risk as government, international aid, and philanthropic budgets are being cut. What will it take to fully fund SDG 4?

Featured Session Speakers:

• Franz Fayot – Minister for Development, Luxembourg
• Mamta Murthi – Vice President for Human Development, World Bank
• Sarah Brown – Chair, Theirworld
• Baroness Liz Sugg – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls’ Education, United Kingdom

Introducing The Key

To help business, corporate social responsibilities, and philanthropy leaders make the case for the education, our team also released a new digital advocacy toolkit, The Key, which provides extensive evidence and research in a usable format to copy, paste, and advocate for education – whether it’s in the boardroom or a town hall meeting. The Key showcases the connections between education and dozens of social and economic impact issues. New topics and expert perspectives will continue to be added and updated.