Global Leaders to Convene at Global Education Forum 2026 in Davos to Address the $7.7 Trillion Skills Crisis

05 Jun 2026

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND | July 9–17, 2026 — The Global Education Forum (GEF) 2026 will gather heads of schools and universities, CEOs of ed-tech companies, and investors at the Davos Congress Centre to bridge the widening chasm between academic output and the urgent demands of the modern workforce.

The Economic Backdrop: A Market in Transition

The global education industry has reached a staggering valuation of $7.7 trillion in 2026. With approximately 6,000,000 schools and 50,000 universities operating worldwide, the sector remains one of the largest segments of the global economy. However, despite this massive scale, the system is facing a systemic crisis of relevance.

The forum’s agenda is driven by the stark realities highlighted in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) landmark research and subsequent resolutions regarding "Education 4.0".

• The Satisfaction Gap: Studies reflecting the sentiment of the WEF 2019 initiatives indicate that nearly 90% of employers express dissatisfaction with the overall quality of training and the "work-readiness" of graduates.
• Skills Mismatch: Research shows a profound lag in teaching speed versus market evolution. Approximately 40% of employers report that applicants lack the necessary character, behaviours, and attributes required for the modern economy.
• Inadequate Pedagogy: Current curriculum structures often fail to address the "human-centric" skills—creativity, complex problem-solving, and analytical thinking—deemed essential for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

A Platform for Radical Innovation

GEF 2026 is designed as a high-level dialogue platform to present actionable solutions to these challenges. The forum will showcase:

• The Franchise Revolution: With the education franchise market projected to reach $64.15 billion by 2026 and growing at a CAGR of 12.3%, the event will highlight "business-in-a-box" models that allow schools and colleges to deploy cutting-edge AI and tech curricula rapidly.
• New Credentials: Presentation of modern accreditation and licensing frameworks that prioritize skill-based competency over traditional time-bound degrees.
• Global Collaboration: A dedicated space for universities and private learning centers to form cross-border partnerships that align academic standards with the "Global Business Week" market requirements.

Forum features a strong international line-up of speakers, entrepreneurs, educators and business leaders, including: Andrew Azarov (UK), Larisa Miller (USA), Evan Yang (Republic of China),  Christina Batruch (Switzerland), Vladyslav Rashkovan (USA), Arvils Pekuless (Lithuania), Olga Azarova (UK), Liudmyla Stanislavenko (Ukraine), Durga Das (USA-India), Wendy Silinyana (South Africa), Elena Chirich (Australia), Lyazzat Alshinova (Kazakhstan), Narmina Hasanova (Azerbaijan), Watceilia Varso (Australia), Jamilya Kerimova (Turkmenistan), Elena Vykhrystyuk (Ukraine), Dinora Saitova (Kazakhstan), Tatiana Markova (Ukraine), Paul Goggin (UK), Viktoriya Trotska (USA), Nazzara Ergasheva (Kyrgyzstan), Irina Khazhalia (Georgia) and many other distinguished experts, entrepreneurs, educators and representatives of business communities.

Event Details

• Theme: "Bridging the Gap: Aligning Global Education with Market Reality"
• Dates: July 9–17, 2026
• Location: Davos Congress Centre, Switzerland

"The 40-year career is gone, replaced by the talent economy," says Dr Olga Azarova, Head of GEF Organizing Committee. "We are no longer just educating students; we are building a lifelong learning infrastructure. Davos 2026 is where the new blueprints for that infrastructure will be signed."