Change in education - All actors to the table

Day one of the World Learning Summit 2016 is over. Speakers and moderators have given their insights on thoughts and ideas for future learning. Many of them spoke of the gap between what the students are motivated by and what takes place in the classroom. One spoke of tech not being the driver of change, another of the need of meeting places. I'll address both, and then add one important party, that is if we really want change in education AND a more up to speed tempo than we currently experience. Other branches do this, why don't we?

Mr. Michael Shanks addressed tech not necessarily being the driver towards the 21st Century skills. Yet, this is what we read and hear most of, isn't it? Instead, collaboration of our various skills could be the driver. I agree. Also addressed today, was the need for meeting places between educators and private actors working in the learning and education area. Bringing both parties to the table is, at present, no easy task. Even looking passed the emotions, there are so many hurdles to overcome that the it seems too difficult. Nonetheless, I would like to add another party to the table - the party who really can make an impact on the development - the politicians.

I've previously heard Mr. Michael Fullan emphasize the importance of a dialogue and collaboration with politicians, both in respect of the course to be made for as well as having an impact on future learning. Adding this to the above, why don't we bring all head actors working with and for learning and education - as well as the Education Minister and his/her staff - to the same meeting place?

Other branches have similar conferences every year, some of which are even "closed" for the media. What such latter conferences do - besides their agenda, is that they enable informal meetings (which would otherwise not occur). Informal meeting places are, as many of you know, often considered "the places to be", because they offer the chance to narrow gaps, gaining mutual understandings, setting out courses and accelerate development - all of which we desperately need in our educational system - NOW!

My point is, even though such meeting places are unheard of, and might even be unthinkable, in education today, maybe we all need to stop complaining on an education that lacks preparing for the working skills needed, a system and tech being outdated, the tempo being too slow, how to keep private actors out of our schools etc.? Maybe it's time to facilitate a meeting place for our branch, with all relevant parties included, making them communicate and collaborate? Should this become a "must be there"-meeting place, it has the potential of making actual change.

Other branches do this every year. Why don't we?