On 15 May 2023, UNU will host “Tech for Good? Do New Technologies Lead to Equity in Education?”, a conversation with Ms Bettina Stark-Watzinger, German Federal Minister of Education and Research. This event will start at 18:30 in the 2F Reception Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Technological innovation has always played an important role in shaping society. In recent years many new promising innovations, from hydrogen power to artificial intelligence and mRNA vaccines, have been advancing rapidly and are used to tackle some of our most serious problems. Technology is sometimes presented as the solution to climate change, global pandemics, economic development, and access to education.
But are new technologies solving today’s issues in education alone? According to the United Nations Secretary-General, “the digital revolution could be one of the most powerful tools for ensuring quality education for all and transforming the way teachers teach and learners learn”. What else is needed to ensure equal opportunities for learners? And how do we make sure that no one is left behind?
Bettina Stark-Watzinger will join UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala for a conversation exploring the role of technology in achieving the global goals, notably education. This event will examine the exciting new tools that recent advancements in technology have brought to the sustainable development agenda, as well as the risks and pitfalls policymakers need to consider when applying innovative solutions to some of our most pressing problems.
The UNU Conversation Series aims to foster audience participation; you are encouraged to engage with the speakers during the conversation and at the reception that will follow, where all event attendees are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and making new contacts.
Please note that this event will be in English. Advance registration (by 14 May) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Registration
To attend this event in-person at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, register here. Please note that entry into the venue will not be allowed after 18:45. Additionally, please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
About the speaker
Bettina Stark-Watzinger is the German Federal Minister of Education and Research (since December 2021) and a member of the Bundestag (German Parliament) since 2017 representing the Free Democratic Party (FDP). She had previously worked as Managing Director in the commercial department of the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (SAFE), at Goethe University Frankfurt (including as Managing Director of the House of Finance), and as Academic Manager at the Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Taxation Department of the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel. She studied economics at the University of Mainz and the Goethe University Frankfurt.
