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SPARK.DUBAI Agenda
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF A MILLION SCHOOLS
During SPARK.DUBAI, we will explore how schools can inspire, deliver and multiply positive social change at scale. We will embark on an exciting journey filled with insightful discussions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Our carefully curated agenda is designed to inspire innovation and collaboration, providing you the tools and knowledge to transform your ideas into reality.
Get ready to connect, learn, and SPARK new possibilities!
The morning sessions will begin at Monday 2nd February, 9:30am at the School of Research and Innovation.
In the afternoon, please choose a session you wish to attend - click the relevant session button to view. Please note that afternoon track sessions will take place across three different schools.
Morning
Time | Session | Venue | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
8.30am | Registration & Coffee | School of Research & Innovation | |
9.30am | Welcome Remarks | School of Research & Innovation | James Monaghan, Principal, School of Research & Innovation |
9.35am | Keynote: Unlocking the Power of Schools Worldwide | School of Research & Innovation | Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General |
9.45am | Panel Discussion: How can schools spark innovation, at the grassroots of education? | School of Research & Innovation | Aashti Zaidi, Founder And CEO, Global Schools Forum; Deborah Quazzo, Co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit and the Managing Partner of GSV Ventures; Armand Doucet, Global Teacher Prize Finalist 2017; |
10.15am | Panel Discussion: How can schools spark creativity, in the age of AI? | School of Research & Innovation | Nile Rodgers, We Are Family Foundation; Matteo Bocelli, Singer; Carlos Acosta, Ballet Director |
10.45am | Showcase: How can schools unlock the power of AI? | School of Research & Innovation | Baz Nijjar, Principal Advisor, Education Technology, GEMS Education |
11.15am | Departures | School of Research & Innovation | |
Creativity
Time | Session | Venue | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | Wellington International School | |
13:15 | Welcome Remarks | Wellington International School | James Rostron, Vice Principal |
13:20 | Keynote: How can schools unlock the power of creativity? | Wellington International School | Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner, GSV AcceleraTE |
13:30 | Workshop A: Building a culture of creativity and innovation | Wellington International School | Adeola Olufunke Akinsulure and Rouble Nagi, Global Teacher Prize 2026 Top 10 Finalists |
13:30 | Workshop B: Preparing students for creative jobs | Wellington International School | Nuno Crato, President of Iniciativa Educação |
15:00 | Workshop Feedback & Group Discussion | Wellington International School | Ewa Stefania Drobek, Global Teacher Prize 2026 Top 10 Finalist and Mike Wamaya, Jimmy Rotheram, Global Teacher Prize Ambassadors |
15:25 | Closing Remarks | Wellington International School | Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division, UNESCO |
15:40 | Departures | Wellington International School | |
Inclusivity
Time | Session | Venue | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | GEMS World Academy | |
13:15 | Opening Remarks | GEMS World Academy | Nadya Chilwan, Director of Inclusion, GEMS World Academy |
13:25 | Keynote: How can schools build inclusivity? | GEMS World Academy | Professor Colin Bailey, President of Queen Mary University, UK |
13:30 | Workshop: Making classrooms more inclusive | GEMS World Academy | Alfonso Filippone, Ana Hernández Revuelta, Timothy James Stiven, Global Teacher Prize 2026 Top 10 Finalists |
14:30 | Inclusion Skills Lab 1 | GEMS World Academy | |
14:55 | Inclusion Skills Lab 2 | GEMS World Academy | |
15:25 | Closing Remarks | GEMS World Academy | Aashti Zaidi, Founder, Global Schools Forum |
15:35 | Departures | GEMS World Academy |
Wellbeing
Time | Session | Venue | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
12:30 | Registration | Dubai American Academy | |
13:15 | Welcome Remarks | Dubai American Academy | Helen Pereira-Raso, CEO, GEMS Dubai American Academy |
13:20 | Keynote: How can schools build lifelong health? | Dubai American Academy | Dr. Funke Baffour-Awuah, Corporate Head of Wellbeing at GEMS Education |
13:30 | Workshop A: Building lifelong health at schools | Dubai American Academy | Joshue Castellanos Paternina and Jasmyn Nicole Wright, Global Teacher prize 2026 Top 10 Finalists, Ron Alvarez, Global Teacher Prize Ambassadors |
13:30 | Workshop B: Building better mental health online through schools | Dubai American Academy | Rosalia Arteaga, Former President and Vice-President of Ecuador, Kenisha Arora, Founder, The Hope Sisters and Jo Min Heekyung, Executive Vice President, CJ CheilJedang |
15:00 | Workshop Feedback and Group Discussion | Dubai American Academy | |
15:25 | Closing remarks | Dubai American Academy | Patricia Ajamian-Safi, Head, Multilateral Partnerships, UNESCO |
15:35 | Departures | Dubai American Academy |
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