Education is a deeply human endeavor, one that has the power to inspire, transform, and shape lives. At a time of AI-accelerated change, how do we preserve the warmth of human connection in the classroom while unlocking the potential of every learner?

This year, the Yidan Prize Summit presents a dedicated session for educators. Without prejudice, rigid structure, or jargon, we’ll dive into open, honest conversations that uncover the most authentic stories of teaching and learning. 

You will hear wisdom that emerges from everyday classroom experiences, meaningful teacher-student relationships, and lessons learned through practice from: 

• A school founder who challenges existing models to build what she believes is possible 
• A social worker navigating the fine line between his professional role and authentic relationships 
• An arts educator who nurtures humanity and meaningful connection through creativity and artistic exploration 
• A teacher whose genuine care for students as a mentor and friend extends beyond the classroom. 

You will also witness a conversation that transcends borders and contexts. Voices from local, regional, and global education communities will come together to explore a pressing question: What shifts when connection comes first? 

You will meet: 

• A teacher working with children in refugee communities 
• A secondary teacher creating space for connection in Hong Kong’s fast-moving environment 
• A school principal reimagining education and school culture in Shenzhen. 

This focus on educators echoes a key finding of the OECD’s PISA 2025 report: strong teacher-student relationships are essential to student engagement and growth. As Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills and Chair of the Yidan Prize Judging Committee, puts it: teachers are not only instructors, but also coaches, mentors, community builders, and architects of learning environments.  

The true impact of education lies not only in what is taught, but in the authenticity, lasting relationship, and character-shaping experience shared between teachers and students. Join us for an afternoon of reflection, inspiration, and renewed commitments to education. 

This educators’ session is led by Daniella Lopez, Founder and Curator of TEDxHong Kong, and supported by Impact Partner, The D. H. Chen Foundation.

• Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder, Yidan Prize

• Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, Sierra Leone

What does it take to reorient entire education systems toward human flourishing? This panel brings together leaders steering some of the world’s most significant institutional transformations to uncover the strategies, tensions, and breakthroughs that refocus systems to unlock every learner’s potential.

• Dr Pia Britto, Global Director, Education and Adolescent Development, UNICEF
• Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, International Baccalaureate Organization (IB); former Director General, Finnish National Agency for Education
• Dr Iwan Syahril, Former Director General, Ministry of Education, Indonesia

Moderator: Lucy Lake, Director – Global Engagement, Yidan Prize Foundation

Long-lasting change rarely starts with policy mandates, but with community action and compelling local evidence. This session explores powerful bottom-up movements and asks how to keep movements centered around community when attracting national or philanthropic interest in scaling them.

• Dr Rukmini Banerji, Senior Advisor and former CEO, Pratham Education Foundation
• Professor Kai-ming Cheng, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong
• Mamadou Amadou Ly, Executive Director, Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED)

Moderator: Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)

• Bruce Au, Secretary-General, Yidan Prize Foundation

In an age of artificial intelligence, what must remain distinctly human? Moving beyond efficiency and automation, this panel will explore how we can design a future of learning 4 that makes the most of technology to amplify, not replace, connection, judgment, and empathy — the qualities that make us human.

• Bruce Au, Secretary-General, Yidan Prize Foundation
• Isabelle C. Hau, Executive Director, Stanford Accelerator for Learning
• Professor Ju-Ho Lee, Professor of Practice, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Arizona State University; former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Republic of Korea
• Professor Wei Li, Executive Dean, UCL Institute of Education (IOE)

Moderator: Amy Klement, CEO, Imaginable Futures

• Reclaiming the human spark in education
• Transforming philanthropy: from China to Asia and beyond

Closed-door roundtable: Post-2030 agenda

This session spotlights compelling voices of our time — youth leaders and education advocates — to discuss how courage and action can reshape schools, communities, systems, and the broader public imagination. A video message from Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai will be followed by a conversation with young leaders, challenging us to reflect on how we can ensure voices such as theirs are heard.

• Ethan Chan, Board Chairperson, Access Abroad Hong Kong
• Lisa Kandanda, Youth Leader and Girls' Education Advocate, CAMFED Association
• Michelle Zhang, Senior Manager of Global Engagement, Yidan Prize Foundation

Moderator: Myra Anubi, Presenter, People Fixing the World, BBC World Service

A final reflection will be offered by Kyungsun Chung, Chief Sustainability Officer, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, to consider the role of the private sector in strengthening the connection between education and opportunity.

• Bruce Au, Secretary-General, Yidan Prize Foundation

Led by a principal with a background in social work, Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School is dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds through whole-person development, student well-being, character building, and rich learning experiences.

The school connects students with innovation, real-world learning opportunities, and community partnerships to help them thrive in a rapidly changing world. It is also the first school in Hong Kong to adopt the New Education Initiative (NEI) framework, inspired by the 2022 Yidan Prize laureate Professor Yongxin Zhu. 5 This school visit coincides with the school’s open day, where delegates can explore a vibrant campus, meet students and educators, and experience firsthand how the school is reimagining learning for the future.

When a devastating fire struck Wang Fuk Court in November last year, Tai Po Baptist Public School, the only school in the housing complex, became a source of support for the community emotionally, socially, and practically.

Today, the school's new campus represents a fresh, new chapter. Revitalizing a previously vacant school building, it combines innovative facilities with a strong commitment to student well-being. From AI-enabled sports facilities to dedicated spaces for counseling, therapy, and student support, every aspect of the campus is designed to help children learn, grow, and thrive.

During the visit, student ambassadors will guide delegates to experience how resilience, innovation, and care have come together to create a welcoming community hub for both students and the wider neighborhood.

The Summit culminates in a celebration of the 2026 Yidan Prize laureates and their remarkable achievements in education research and education development. Join us for a black-tie gala dinner with leaders across business, research, policy, practice, and philanthropy.