WUS100 Global Conference
In honour of its centennial, the World University Service (WUS) held the "Global Conference on the Right to Quality Education" from September 21-23, 2021, at the University of Vienna.
We would like to thank the Austrian Minister of Justice, Alma Zadic, for her keynote on the eve of the conference opening at the City Hall of Vienna, where she highlighted the importance of access to quality education for all.
On September 22, the conference was opened by statements from the Austrian president, Alexander Van der Bellen, and the Austrian Minister of Education, Science and Research, Heinz Faßmann, by Vice-rector Christa Schnabl on behalf of the University of Vienna and by the new rector of the Central European University, Shalini Randeria.
The audience also listened to keynotes from the Assistant High Commissioner of Protection, UNHCR, Gillian Triggs, who is presently engaged with the refugee crisis in Afghanistan and beyond, from the director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the UN Human Rights Office, Peggy Hicks, from the Head of Unit for Migration and Sustainable Development of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Cécile Riallant, from the Head of the Council of Europe’s Education Department, Sjur Bergan, and from the Minister of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo, Arbërie Nagavci.
In the panels and working groups some 40 experts focused on global challenges which learners, educators, and educational institutions, but also countries, economies and governments are facing when it comes to shrinking civic spaces in education, access to education for refugees, migrants, and girls as well as access to inclusive and quality education for sustainable development and global citizenship.
The Global Conference on the Right to Quality Education at the University of Vienna was also an occasion to meet partners, (former) colleagues and old friends of WUS Austria and from the WUS universe at large, and to celebrate the centennial together.
Stay tuned for the evaluation of the conference proceedings which will be made available at the conference website soon.
