Charles Clarke, former UK Secretary of State for Education and Skills

In this episode of EWF Conversations, EWF Programme Director Fabrizio Trifirò talks to Charles Clarke, former UK Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the ideator of the Education World Forum. Clarke reflects on the original vision of EWF as a platform for ministers to collectively address the challenges of transforming education and its evolution into a significant global gathering. He highlights the critical importance of high-quality early childhood education to build foundational confidence and the necessity for continuous teacher professional development. He further discusses the need for proactive engagement with artificial intelligence to equip children for a tech-dominated world, and the political complexities of education reform. Clarke concludes by emphasizing the value of international dialogue and integrated tertiary education in enabling students to contribute meaningfully to the wider society and economy.