Unleashing the potential of STEM education in South-East Europe and the Mediterranean: STEM Alliance Conference

As Industrial Revolution 4.0 gains momentum and affects every aspect of our everyday lives, STEM education, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, prepares students to develop and adopt emerging technologies, equipping learners with relevant skill sets and knowledge to solve real-life issues. STEM education is at the forefront of technological and scientific advancement, driving many of the innovations that are shaping our world. Current and future jobs and societal challenges increasingly require a broad range of transferable skills, the so-called 21st century skills, like problem-solving, communication skills or critical thinking. In this context, STEM agents should explore with more emphasis, the adoption of innovative approaches in the formulation of STEM curricula and selection of Teaching & Learning (T&L) methods. A shift to STEAM, as a holistic re-conceptualisation of STEM linked with Arts and other disciplines, such as social sciences and humanities, could embrace creativity and encourage youth to think outside the box. 

Building on a regional policy analysis which produces a repository of STEM policies within the 14 countries covered, on 23 and 24 November 2023 the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe is organising a high-level conference with the aim of contributing to the advancement of STEM education in South-East Europe and the Mediterranean. The Conference will bring together a variety of stakeholders working in the education sector, from the 14 countries under the purview of the UNESCO Regional Bureau. Participants will include STEM-related UNESCO Chairs and Centres, national authorities and national representatives of the UNESCO Associated School Network (ASPnet). 

For 2 days, participants will have space and opportunity to discuss and agree on a set of operational policy recommendations and key actions on how to advance STEM education in regional and national contexts, sharing knowledge and expertise to enable a better understanding of policy challenges and emerging trends.. The Conference will thus promote the reinforcement of a STEM Alliance, to increase collaboration in the following years, starting from the formulation of the STEM Alliance Roadmap to 2030.