The Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, featured a Gala Tribute to Teachers in Kyiv. The event celebrated educators from around the world who have contributed to the development of education globally. Among the participants were Nobel Prize laureates, winners of national education awards, and recipients of the Global Teacher Prize.
“Education is always about the future – about planning and preparing for it, and about those whose future we account for. This year we have greatly broadened our circle of invitees and extended Summit events far beyond their main venues. Today we are joined by the central figures in the learning process – teachers from across the globe,” said the First Lady of Ukraine.
Educators from eight countries took part in the Summit: Brazil, Estonia, Canada, Kenya, Lithuania, South Korea (online), Finland, and Ukraine. They all received special recognitions as part of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. These are:
Débora Garofalo, a Brazilian teacher who introduced basic robotics, plastic recycling and environmental issues into the curriculum.
Indrek Lillemägi from Estonia, founder of two innovative schools built on modern principles.
Maggie MacDonnell from Canada, who worked with refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, later in Tanzania and in a remote Canadian community, and who received the international Global Teacher Prize for pioneering new educational approaches.
Peter Tabichi, a Kenyan teacher who donates 80% of his salary each month to help the poor.
Antanas Jonušas, Lithuania’s most innovative social sciences teacher, repeatedly recognized at national level.
Chansoo Park from South Korea (via video address), who has reached children’s hearts through creativity, especially theater and musicals. This approach is now used in 230 schools nationwide.
Johanna Selina Norppa from Finland, who uses innovative methods to explore national identity.
Kateryna Hrechka, a teacher at the School of Superheroes in Kharkiv, who has continued teaching children in her home since the full-scale Russian invasion, despite the fighting nearby.
Iryna Dubas, head of a lyceum in Nova Kakhovka, who, despite Russian occupation and pressure, continued teaching the Ukrainian curriculum and later resumed her lyceum’s operations online in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
The guests shared their personal stories and experiences and spoke about teaching practices in their countries as well as the overall value of quality education. In addition, the Summit participants will deliver lectures at schools and leading universities across Ukraine.
“One could say that in all previous summits we gradually approached this theme through others – after all, the topics of mental health, the protection of children, and the impact of the war, which we addressed in past years, fit into a broader, more global theme: the theme of human knowledge and the ability to manage it,” the First Lady emphasized.
The Gala Tribute to Teachers aimed to remind the world of the unique role of educators in fostering a culture of peace, while also recognizing teachers from across the globe for their continuous and committed efforts in shaping future generations.
The program was created by Olena Koliadenko and Ihor Frenkel.
The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science, and Sports, UNICEF, Osvitoria, and the British Embassy in Ukraine.
General Partners: BGV Charity Fund, Universal Bank.
Official Partners: Activitis Education, Ajax Systems.
Partners: Vodafone, La Famiglia, Yalta European Strategy.
Information Partners: United24 Media, Starlight Media.