In September, Kyiv will host the fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, as announced during a joint press conference by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, and Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi.
According to Olena Zelenska, the theme of this year’s Summit is “Education That Shapes the World”, with innovation and technology as its integral components. The event will bring together first ladies and gentlemen, Nobel laureates, ministers of education, experts, representatives of IT companies, and teachers from various countries.
On the first day, the program will feature the presentation of a study on educational processes in 14 countries, followed by discussions and an evening event, “Gala Tribute to Teachers.” The second day will include panel discussions on access to education, the implementation of innovations, and the role of education in building lasting peace. Summit guests will also deliver open lectures at 12 universities across different regions of Ukraine, as well as in museums, children’s centers, and schools.
“Education is a foundational issue for any society, and it concerns us all. While we face unique challenges in organizing the educational process due to the war, other countries are dealing with different issues, such as ensuring equal access to education and maintaining quality standards. This year, we have special guests — teachers. We are proud to have brought together educators from around the world to share their experiences and inspire us,” said Olena Zelenska.
Oksen Lisovyi highlighted that, while countries face diverse challenges in securing quality education, a common global issue is the aging of the teaching profession and its declining prestige.
“Young people are increasingly reluctant to enter this profession, and this is not just a problem in Ukraine. Teachers’ salaries are average or below average not only here but worldwide. We are working hard to address this issue as quickly as possible despite the ongoing war. However, this is a global trend — the profession of teaching is losing its status and value. We must talk about this openly, as it poses a significant risk to global development,” emphasized the Minister of Education.
Mykhailo Fedorov added that representatives of major IT companies, including Google and Cisco, will participate in the Summit. He also announced new partnerships and the launch of several joint projects.
“Our goal is not to separate children from technology and innovation but to integrate them effectively. We must help teachers navigate this transformation and guide the entire education system. In 5, 10, or 15 years, our world will look very different, shaped by technologies that are only now beginning to emerge,” said the First Deputy Prime Minister.
Launched by Ukraine in 2021, the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen is an international platform that has already united participants from more than 40 countries. Its mission is to find joint solutions, exchange experiences, and introduce innovations to address humanitarian challenges. Over the years, the initiative has helped raise funds for Ukraine and establish direct medical partnerships between Ukrainian and foreign clinics.
