A Master AIRE alumnus, Ed Stevenette is a project manager with the Learning Planet Institute's International Alliance. His work focuses particularly on youth and student engagement. An encounter with someone passionate about supporting young people to actively shape the future of education.
What has been your career path at CRI/Institut Planète Apprentissage?
I came to the Institute as a student in Master in 2018, in the Learning Sciences department, and then, as I developed my student project, I joined the international team at the same time as the’LearningPlanet Alliance co-founded with’UNESCO, was created in 2020 and where I've been ever since.
How did the CRI/Learning Planet Institute environment enable you to go from a student initiative to a sustainable business?
I think the LPI environment really helps to turn student projects into long-term programs, first and foremost because of the trust placed in the students. When I came here, right from the start, I was able to make, break and learn from projects with other students and staff, including, for example, the Ikigai project. So I think the opportunity to trust, to develop workshops, learning programs, events for the community here and abroad is a huge asset.
Secondly, I think the interdisciplinary culture is a huge asset and something you don't often see in traditional learning environments. It allowed me, as a student, to take on projects and find different perspectives, ways to challenge my approach, while developing my projects. I have continued this as a member of staff, being able to collaborate with a wide range of skills and disciplines on a large number of projects which, to be successful, require many diverse soft skills.
Every year, around January 24 - International Education Day - the LearningPlanet festival takes place, launched by the Institute in partnership with UNESCO. What makes this event an ideal framework for mobilizing young people around the world?
Every year, around January 24, International Education Day, we organize the LearningPlanet festival, a global celebration of learning where we bring together essentially different populations to collaborate, create and share ideas, through events organized by communities around the world, both online and in person. The festival offers young people around the world a fantastic opportunity not only to discover great innovators in education, but also to be amplified. So this access is very important. It was great to see young people, for example in Zimbabwe, taking part in Imagination-led sessions in every class group on reimagining schools. So there are lots of opportunities to collaborate within the community and showcase the work that young people are doing.
You launched the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge two years ago. What is it all about?
This contest was created to enable young people aged 15 to 26 from all over the world to present their educational projects - existing or new - that have a concrete impact on their community. Last year, over 200 projects were submitted, 12 of which benefited from a training and mentoring program to connect with other young leaders and develop prototypes for their projects.
We launched this year's edition at the United Nations General Assembly, with applications open until January 15. This year, a larger cohort of 60 people will be selected to undergo a training and mentoring program to take their projects to the next level. An international jury will select 12 to receive a scholarship and the title of YDC ambassador.
What message would you like to convey to future students?
Come here with an open mind and be ready to make, break and learn from the projects and ideas you have! And enjoy the totally international, interdisciplinary and diverse culture of really great people who want to learn from each other. You're sure to come away enriched and with lots of projects, ideas and opportunities that will enable you to have a greater impact on tomorrow's world.
