I have arrived safely in Doha, Qatar for the inaugural World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). I am excited to be here and really looking forward to how the next 3 days pan out.

One thing that is abundantly clear is the international register of attendees. For example in the car from the aiport to the hotel last night I met a Brazilian journalist who had a 20 hour journey, this is a truly global event.

I am writing this on the coach journey to the Ritz-Carlton Doha which will be the venue for WISE. As Alan Levine explained last night the hospitality and friendliness is in abundance and I also shared his initial scepticism of the invite at first glance. But it isn’t some elaborate ruse and the logisitics team behind WISE have done a great job so far.

badges and books

Interestingly I have been put in a hotel with all of the media professionals. The invite was as a result of this blog and I suppose I have to accept the fact that it is part of the media fabric – hopefully carving my own niche nonetheless.

Monday sees us take part in the opening of the conference as well as a variety of breakout sessions including:

  • Globalisation of education – preparing students for a global economy and society
  • Bridging Global Inequalities
  • Higher Education for a Sustainable World
  • Funding Education in the 21st Century – Who Pays for the Education of our Global Citizens
  • Pluralism - Every Child Matters
  • Innovation - Technology and E-Learning
  • Pluralism - Civil Rights and Minorities in Education
  • Sustainability - A Fully Intergrated Education Policy

There is lots to choose from and I am hoping to blog some notes over the next few days, that’s if I have time as the programme is pretty full on. You can always follow what I am up to at the conference by checking out my Twitter stream and the hashtag #WISE09 too.

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