2025 GCEN Shanghai Symposium

About

This year, members of the League of Innovative Schools are invited to join the 2025 GCEN Symposium in Shanghai!

Each year, the Global Cities Education Network (GCEN) offers a dynamic, four day learning experience involving school site visits, collaborative exchanges, and presentations from experts, with a focus on issues identified by the cities and facilitated by those on the cutting edge of practice and policy. The 2025 symposium will take place in Shanghai, China from November 3-6, 2025 in collaboration with the UNESCO Teacher Education Center (TEC) at Shanghai Normal University.

Our host, the TEC, has been a GCEN partner and participant for over thirteen years. Shanghai’s globally-recognized education system will frame our collective learning on the 2025 themes:

1. The digital world and AI: China is a leader in AI and the national Ministry of Education encourages all teachers to take risks in integrating AI into their classroom teaching. We will examine supportive policies and innovative classroom projects and diagnostic programs. From a workforce perspective, the new economy in China privileges technology and the development of AI literacy expertise with a strong skills focus throughout school and work-based education.
2. Education for all: As a large urban system, Shanghai experiences flows of new students into the city. Educators continuously strive to accommodate the needs of all learners, while providing a high-quality education and genuine opportunities. We will explore how Shanghai maintains focus on educational excellence for all learners, especially those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
3. Teacher development and retention: The UNESCO Teacher Education Center is a leader in developing new educators who excel at classroom teaching and who develop as research experts and mentors to create a holistic system of educator support and development. We will learn about Shanghai’s innovative incentives and strategies to retain teachers including school-based professional learning communities, mentoring programs, career ladders, and opportunities for research engagement.
4. Workforce development: In China, career and technical education (called vocational education and training or VET) is increasingly harmonizing with higher education to provide more integrated tertiary sector opportunities aimed at producing more highly skilled workers. We will investigate how new forms of lifelong learning are emerging to continuously upskill the workforce, including work-based learning, a modern qualifications framework, and a widespread commitment to micro-credentialing. 

Application Criteria

GCEN delegates are high-level decision makers who support and advance education transformation in their jurisdiction, system, or organization. Previous GCEN participants have included district-level directors, superintendents, and senior leaders. Beyond districts, GCEN attendees include policymakers, content experts, researchers, key community members from outside of the formal education system, and practitioner-leaders.

In addition to GCEN members, district and school leaders from Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools are encouraged to participate.

A select few additional teams and individuals from outside of GCEN and the League will be invited to join as well.

Cost

Your week-long educational study tour in Shanghai will include all programming, transportation to local site visits and events, and most meals for $1,750 per person (special early bird pricing of $1,200 until June 16).

The hotel at the UNESCO Teacher Education Center has graciously arranged a block of rooms at a cost of approximately $70/night. Each participant is responsible for their own flight and accommodation costs. A certificate of completion is available if required.

Application Instructions

There is no application for this opportunity. If interested in participating, contact Heather Singmaster, Director of GCEN at Digital Promise: hsingmaster@digitalpromise.org.

Contact

Heather Singmaster