The mEducation Alliance Global Symposium reaffirmed the sector’s unwavering commitment to collaboration and systems-level approaches that strengthen learning for all. For Team RESPECT™, it underscored the urgency of advancing open-source, interoperable solutions as part of a digital public infrastructure for education. What stood out most was the collaboration across ministries, innovators, and development partners — a shared commitment to building resilient education systems that adapt to change while keeping the learner at the center.

It was one of the most inspiring events I’ve ever attended in the global education space! The 15th Annual Marvelous Education Alliance Symposium was full of learning, sharing, and connecting with passionate people working to make education better for everyone.I met so many incredible individuals — open, collaborative, and eager to exchange ideas that truly shape the future of learning. This was my first mEducation Alliance event, and definitely not the last. I’m excited for many more opportunities to learn from others’ journeys and contribute to our shared mission of improving education for all. The programme was packed but actually didn’t feel overwhelming, everyone being pretty good about time keeping on the whole! It was great to be in such a positive space with a format which allowed for short presentations but also for meaningful questions and dialogue, and where what I heard sparked so many ideas and further questions – for me personally, and in terms of thinking for Mwabu. I enjoyed every minute.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in the 2025 mEducation Alliance Symposium — a gathering of passionate educators, innovators, and advocates committed to ensuring that learning continues, even in the most difficult circumstances.Together with my colleague Haneen Khalaf from Learning Upgrade, I shared Sahar Education’s Secret Scholar Online Program, which provides Afghan women and girls with safe, digital access to education. In a world where classrooms have been taken away, technology has become a bridge to possibility, hope, and empowerment.The Symposium was an inspiring space of collaboration and shared purpose — a powerful reminder that education is not just about lessons, but about resilience, courage, and the unbreakable will to learn.

The mEducation Alliance Symposium was an incredible opportunity to share my research on Inner Infrastructure — the inner workings of thought, decision-making, and character that determine whether learning leads to action. The discussions were deeply engaging, with participants reflecting on what truly moves people to act — from curiosity and courage to encouragement and the freedom to fail. I left inspired by the shared realization that learning transforms lives only when it inspires action.

It was wonderful reconnecting with friends and fellow changemakers at the mEducation Alliance Symposium in D.C.! Having attended the very first conference 15 years ago, it was inspiring to see how this community continues to grow and innovate. Despite the challenges facing global education, so many amazing people are still advancing EdTech solutions to ensure every learner has access to quality education. I’m grateful to be on this journey together.

What struck me most across these conferences was how they created space not just for authentic human connection, but also for good-faith challenge that pushes the education development community toward greater improvement and excellence. It was powerful to witness so many such moments. I left with a renewed appreciation for how diverse, deeply committed, and rich in expertise this community is — and a stronger motivation to keep contributing to the collective effort of making EdTech more equitable, effective, and future-ready for all children. I’m excited to drive forward the collaborations sparked at these events and turn them into meaningful action!

The mEducation Alliance Symposium was a powerful reminder of why this work matters — a week filled with meaningful conversations, inspiring collaborators, and a shared refusal to accept the status quo in education. One line that stayed with me summed it up perfectly: “There’s no good educational outcome if you’re making the learner stressed or not valued.” This community embodies that truth — that real learning begins with connection, belonging, and purpose.