Conference Global Partnerships for Life Skill Education

Do you have an interest in system based changes in education, the role of research in international development, the global and local meaning of life skills education, and the process of decolonization in international collaborations? Do you want to learn more about strengthening youth’s life skills through education and build a network with like-minded individuals and organisations? Then join the Global Partnerships for Life Skills Education conference on June 12th, focused on strengthening global partnerships in youth and education, specifically emphasizing enhancing life skills through education.

The ‘Global Partnerships for Life Skills Education’ conference is hosted by the Department of Education and Pedagogy and UGlobe as part of the DoY community Youth Education & Life Skills (YELS). The conference aims to foster collaboration between Utrecht University (UU) and partners in the Global South, building on the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) network while welcoming broader explorations and collaborations.

In practical terms the conference wants to:

• …build partnerships: between UU colleagues, departments and faculties with the aim of strengthening collaboration with universities and NGO’s in the Global South. 
• …exchange knowledge in which perspectives from Utrecht University and partners in the Global South are represented. 
• …foster capacity building/professionalization focused on becoming a community of global researchers. 
• …inspire and form new collaborations for future projects.

Program overview

The conference will feature keynotes from academia and practitioners representing Global North and South perspectives. An engaging panel discussion will follow these. The afternoon will offer four hands-on workshops to build capacity and expertise in international research-based collaboration, focusing on concrete dilemmas and skills for impactful life skills initiatives in diverse global contexts.

09:00-09:30 – Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:30-10:15  –  Keynote 1: Collaboration in System Transitions

10:15-10:30   –  Reflections and Audience Q&A

10:30-10:45  –  Coffee Break

10:45-11:30   –  Keynote 2: Perspectives on Life Skills Education

11:30-11:45    –  Reflections and Audience Q&A11:45-12:30   –  Panel Discussion: The Impact of Decolonization

12:30-13:30   –  Lunch Break

13:30-14:30   –  Workshop 1: NGO Strategies for Life Skills Education – Best Practices and Diverse Approaches

Designed for NGOs, researchers, and students with different life skills programmes, this workshop will explore best practices and varied approaches to life skills education. It will focus on program design and strategies for engaging stakeholders, especially government institutions, to advocate for system change. Participants will share experiences through expert introductions and interactive activities.

13:30-14:30   –  Workshop 2: Navigating ‘Decolonization’ in International Research Partnerships

This workshop will explore’ decolonization’ for international research collaboration. Discussions will center on how African perspectives are represented in theory, publishing, and funding, and what this implies for more equitable global partnerships

14:30-14:45   –  Break (to switch sessions)14:45-15:45   –  Workshop 3: Monitoring, Evaluation, and the Role of Research in System Change

This session will focus on the role of research, monitoring, and evaluation in driving system change in education through international collaboration.

14:45-15:45   –  Workshop 4: Contextualizing Learning Models and Theories of Change

This workshop will explore ‘learning’ as a deeply social, cultural, and institutional process within educational system change. Participants will reflect on how learning models and theories of change can be adapted to fit diverse settings.

15:45-16:00   –  Break with refreshments

16:00-17:00   –  Keynote 3: Research as a Catalyst for Change

More information about program and speakers

For more information about the program and speakers, have a look at this pdf with the full program ‘Global Partnerships for Life Skills Education’ conference

Sign up now

You can sign up via this registration form.