Join Fernando Reimers, Ford Foundation Professor at Harvard University, at the National Institute of Education Singapore for a special talk on “Educating Students to Improve the World".
Fernando Reimers argues that achieving educational relevance in the twenty-first century requires systemic thinking rather than isolated reforms or adding new topics to crowded curricula. Education should be understood as a complex, adaptive system in which curriculum, assessment, teacher capacity, resources, governance, and community partnerships interact to shape student learning and outcomes.
Drawing on his work, Reimers examines artificial intelligence (Al) and climate change as two global forces reshaping education. He explains that Al is redefining what counts as relevant education by increasing the need for multidimensional Al literacy, including understanding Al, using it collaboratively, and addressing its ethical implications. While Al has the potential to improve effectiveness and equity, it may also deepen inequality if adopted without sufficient teacher preparation, infrastructure, and regulation.
He also explores climate change as both a direct disruptor of education, through disasters, displacement, and health impacts and a driver of deeper educational transformation. This includes the need for climate literacy, green skills, and capacities for adaptation and mitigation.
Reimers highlights growing connections between Al and climate education, particularly in balancing technological benefits with environmental and social costs.
The lecture concludes with a call for policy coherence and system alignment to make education systems both Already and climate-ready, grounded in effectiveness, relevance, and justice.