In the heart of Nairobi, a transformative dialogue unfolded as educators, policymakers, and young leaders converged for the Global Symposium Series 2026. This gathering, organized by Mizizi Elimu Afrika in collaboration with EducAid Sierra Leone and the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, marked a pivotal moment in the global education landscape.
The symposium’s opening plenary set the tone, emphasizing the urgent need to transition young people from passive recipients of education to active architects of learning systems. Speakers underscored that lasting educational reforms hinge on recognizing learners as co-creators of knowledge, whose voices must shape policy, research, and practice.
Youth at the forefront of educational transformation
Throughout the symposium, a recurring theme was the portrayal of youth not as future leaders waiting in the wings, but as present-day innovators, researchers, and decision-makers. Delegates from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America explored collaborative solutions to education challenges, with a strong emphasis on empowering young people as partners in learning.
Discussions also highlighted the critical need for stronger African-led research to drive education reforms across the continent. While global collaboration remains valuable, delegates stressed the importance of generating locally grounded solutions that address the unique realities facing African education systems.
Climate education and global challenges
Climate education emerged as a prominent topic, with participants calling for greater investment in equipping learners with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to the growing climate crisis. The consensus was clear: climate literacy should be embedded across education systems to prepare young people for a rapidly changing world.
The symposium’s deliberations reflected a growing consensus that transforming education requires more than curriculum reforms. Meaningful change, participants argued, will depend on empowering young people as partners in learning, investing in home-grown research, and ensuring education systems prepare learners to tackle emerging global challenges.
Youth employment schemes face scrutiny and adaptation
Meanwhile, in the West of England, the Youth Guarantee scheme has been under the microscope. Brandon Oputeri, a participant in the scheme, shared his journey from struggling to find a career path in carpentry to gaining valuable experience through a work placement. His story highlights both the challenges and the potential of such initiatives.
The scheme, which offers one-to-one coaching, CV and interview preparation, and work placements, has seen mixed results. While there have been success stories, the mayor admitted that the outcomes were not good enough. In response, an additional £5 million has been committed to extend the project into a second year, with a pledge to improve its impact.
The mayor has also allocated an extra £2 million from her own budgets, bringing the total spent on the Youth Guarantee trailblazer to £12 million over two years. This funding will support charities and community organizations in delivering the scheme, leveraging their connections with young people to maximize reach and impact.
Addressing the ‘broken’ work experience system
A recent report has shed light on the ‘broken’ system of work experience for young Brits. The report highlights significant barriers faced by both schools and businesses, with 74% of schools finding it difficult to organize placements and almost half of businesses not offering work experience due to various constraints.
Chef Tom Kerridge, who offers work experience in his restaurants, emphasized the benefits of such placements. ‘I always think it’s so hard to get into those kinds of first jobs when you’re very young, and I think they’re very beneficial,’ he said. The report underscores the need for a more robust infrastructure, support, and coordination to ensure that work experience opportunities are accessible to all young people.
The growing number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has been described as a ‘moral crisis.’ Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that over a million young people in the UK were not in education, employment, or training in the first quarter of this year. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems.
As the world looks to the future, the active involvement of young people in shaping education and employment landscapes is more crucial than ever. From global symposiums to local initiatives, the empowerment of youth is key to driving meaningful and lasting change.
