Join us at the forefront of educational innovation and international collaboration!
FinCEED and Education Finland are once again thrilled to host the Helsinki Global Education Partnerships Forum (#GEPForum2026), taking place in Helsinki on 28-29 October 2026.
This year's theme is "Education as a foundation for safety, security, and resilience".
This overarching theme connects multiple dimensions of education, society, and global change. Safety and security are seen as multifaceted and interconnected concepts which span digital competence, human wellbeing, crisis preparedness, and global justice. Safety and security are not only about protection but also about empowerment, inclusion, and resilience. Education is a key driver for building safer, more equitable, and more adaptable societies.
The Forum will facilitate dialogue and jointly shape shared ideas for a safe and secure future of global education. It provides participants with matchmaking opportunities to foster synergy, establish partnerships, and collect and identify recommendations for developing innovative multistakeholder collaboration in the education sector. The aim is to identify innovative and practical solutions that foster international collaboration in the education sector.
We welcome a broad range of participants from the global education field, including experts, thought leaders, decision makers, and other stakeholders. The Forum is open to organisations and professionals working in education, trade and development, including universities and schools, private sector actors, public institutions, NGOs and the research community.
The safety and security dimensions are organized into three major thematic areas:
Media literacy and foundational skills construct safety and security
- Responsible use of technology (social media, data management, AI)
- Foundational learning
- Cybersecurity and information warfare
- Preventing violent extremism
Security increasingly depends on individuals’ ability to navigate digital environments, identify risks, and think critically. Strengthening media literacy helps prevent manipulation, misinformation, and harmful online behavior, contributing to safer communities.
Human security and safety as a prerequisite for learning
- Improving school culture: bullying, discrimination, exclusion, school meals
- Ensuring the physical safety of learning and teaching environments
Security is understood not only as protection from threats but also as the creation of supportive, inclusive environments. Schools play a key role in fostering trust, well‑being, and equitable treatment which are essential elements for stable and resilient communities.
Education increases preparedness for crises, climate change, and conflicts
- Pandemics, climate challenges, and threat of violence
- Resilience building
- Education in Emergencies
This theme underlines the need for education systems and societies to prepare disruptions of environmental, health related, or geopolitical elements. Preparedness is a core element of long term security.
Call for Session Proposals
We are now opening a call for session proposals for multistakeholder actors. Sessions are 20-90 minutes long, and speakers are expected to attend and present in person at the event venue.
Hosting a session is complimentary, and there are no fees for participants. However, please note that the Helsinki Global Education Partnerships Forum team will not cover official invitations, travel, or any related expenses.
Read more about the session criteria and submit your proposal via the link below by 29 May 2026:
Registration
The Forum will be a live event taking place in Helsinki, Finland. Participation is free of charge, and registration is expected to open by autumn 2026.
Organizers
FinCEED - The Finnish Centre of expertise in Education and Development
Organizer
finceed@oph.fi
