GNDE Webinars & Symposia

Timely webinars on selected topics and hands-on workshops that share the expertise and experiences of GNDE members are an important part of our strategic plan. See below for a list of upcoming webinars and web meetings and scroll down further for the recordings and slide presentations of previous sessions.

GNDE will also organize side meetings and workshops for its members and others in  conjunction with other conferences organized by partner organizations. Click on these links to learn more about planned and previous workshops:
Upcoming GNDE & Other Webinars & Meetings of Interest to Education Deans
Date/Time
Session Description
How to Access/Readings & Recordings
September 2-4, 2026 
Teacher Education and Education Futures in a Complex World
A GNDE Symposium hosted by the University of Edinburgh

Through the Symposium theme, we aim to create an interdisciplinary space for critical reflection, dialogue and innovation. Participants will engage with key questions around how education can respond to and anticipate societal challenges - such as political pressures on education systems, workforce sustainability, and the evolving role of universities in preparing teachers for uncertain futures.

The symposium will foreground the perspectives of those working directly in education and teacher education, while also connecting with policy and strategic voices shaping the wider educational ecosystem. We anticipate colleagues from UNESCO will participate, sharing global insights and themes during the event.

A key feature of the symposium will be its collaborative ethos: encouraging participants to imagine new possibilities for education that are contextually responsive, ethically grounded, and future focused. By bringing together diverse expertise and experiences, the event aims to foster actionable insights and partnerships that advance both research and practice in the field. 

​For more information and to registetr, go to the Symposium Web Site
Go to the Symposium Web Site to see the program.. registration, vennue, travel informatioon and more. 
Archive of GNDE Symposia, Webinars & Meetings
Date/Time
Session  Description
How to Access/Readings & Recordings
26 August 2025
Global Network of Deans of Education Symposium 2025
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Theme: Future-Proofing Teachers: Global Perspectives on Integrating AI and Digital Tools in Teacher Preparation.
As the world of education rapidly evolves, so too must the ways we prepare the next generation of teachers. The Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria is proud to host a global gathering of deans of education for a vital conversation on the future of our profession.
Join us for this virtual symposium, where thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers in teacher education from across the globe will explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in shaping teacher preparation for a complex, interconnected world.
Together, we will:
  • Examine global trends and challenges in integrating AI into teacher education.
  • Share research, policy insights, and innovative practices from diverse contexts.
  • Discuss ethical and equitable approaches to digital transformation in education.
  • Collaborate on strategies to empower future educators with the tools and mindsets needed to thrive in digitally rich learning environments.
This symposium is more than a dialogue—it’s a call to action for educational leaders to co-create future-ready systems that uphold quality, inclusivity, and innovation in teacher preparation.
For more information, go to the Sympisiun web site
September 2-4, 2024
The INAUGURAL in-person International Symposium from GNDE

“The critical role of Faculties of Education for Sustainable Futures"
hosted by the University of Innsbruck, Austria

This Meeting of Presidents of National Deans networks and Deans of Education from North America, Canada, Australia & Oceania, Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin-America & the Caribbean, the Middle East and South America discusses and develops responses to the 

Global challenges, critical roles and current capacities in teacher education and development

Join us for a historic milestone as we gather for the first-ever in-person symposium of the Global Network of Deans of Education. This groundbreaking event will bring together esteemed deans, academic leaders, policymakers,  educators and education organisations from around the world to engage in meaningful discussions, share innovative practices, and foster collaborations that will shape the future of education on a global scale.
Go to the Symposium web site for  more information
9 June 2020
(London, UK-13:00, Washington, DC-08:00
Hong Kong-20:00)
Transforming the Education Workforce: A Vision from the Education Commission
  • Amy Bellinger, Lead for the Education Workforce Initiative
  • Katie Godwin, Research Associate, Education Workforce Initiative
  • Carole G. Basile, Dean and Professor, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
  • Martin Henry, Research Co-ordinator Education International

Three interacting visions for the education workforce to reach system goals of access, equity, learning and inclusion is presented in light of The Education Workforce Initiative (EWI).  EWI aims to turn the Education Commission’s Learning Generation report recommendation on expanding, strengthening and diversifying the education workforce into action by harnessing the latest evidence and innovations to inform new ways of approaching education workforce reform.  EWI’s Transforming the Education Workforce: Learning Teams for a Learning Generation draws on recent evidence and thought leadership to outline the three visions for rethinking the education workforce.

During this webinar Amy Bellinger and Katie Godwin of the Education Commission will present this vision and Carole G Basile and Martin Henry will act as discussants.The session chair is Michael Owen, Dean of Education, Brock University, Canada and GNDE Steering Committee member.
* Click here for brief biographies of the speakers

 
Click on this Participants Link to access the session. Please arrive a few minutes before the start of the session.

Recommended Readings & Resources


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April 2019
GNDE Side Meeting & Virtual Consultation on GNDE Mission & Activities, American Education Research Association (AERA) Conference, Toronto, 2019 

The Global Network of Deans of Education was pleased to organize its first meeting and workshop at the conference of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) held in Toronto, Canada on April 5-9, 2019.

The session included Skype-based presentations and discussions with three UN/Global agencies; the UNESCO Teacher Education Task Force, the Education Workforce Initiative of the Education Commission chaired by Gordon Brown UN Envoy, and the OECD Education 2030 Initiative. See the detailed agenda for more information and speakers.

Following the discussion with UN/Global agencies, participants were asked for their views on how the Global Network of Deans of Education should evolve. See this description of the GNDE planned activities developed thus far.

One part of that GNDE plan includes cooperation with other international education organizations and faculty/research associations concerned with initial and post-graduate teacher education. A number of existing networks and organizations were invited to the meeting to explore potential collaboration.

Subsequent to that open discussion, participants will be invited to join the Interim GNDE Steering Committee for a discussion of next steps.  

The meeting was open to all interested in networking to exchange information and knowledge as well as providing input on behalf of Deans of education to a variety of UN agencies 

GNDE expresses its thanks to The Centre for the Study of Education Policy & Leadership at Simon Fraser university for hosting this GNDE meeting.

If you are interested in the work of GNDE, kindly add your name lo the GNDE email list.
Here is a recording of the presentations and ensuing discussions. Also, please refer to these notes taken from the discussions.