The UNESCO Chair
«Learning sciences»

Since 2014, François TADDEI, founder and president of the Learning Planet Institute, holds the international teaching and research chair in «The Sciences of Learning», supported by Université Paris Cité and the Institute.

This Chair - which combines research, pedagogy and technology to support teachers, researchers, teams and stakeholder groups in building a learning society for a more sustainable world - is based on the conviction that young people, lifelong learning and collective intelligence are the best levers for change in our societies.

The 3 pillars of the Chair

The four-year «Sciences de l'apprendre» program was renewed in 2018 and 2022. For the period 2022-2026, we have chosen to concentrate its work around 3 major axes.

1 - R&D

At a time of collective intelligence and transitions, and in order to facilitate the emergence of a learning society, we want to strengthen the Chair's research into the evolution of forms of learning and collective decision-making.

R&D in new fields of collective intelligence and learning
Enhance our know-how through reflective research, in order to capitalize, create assets for the future and communicate on our differentiating approach.
Complete a range of interdisciplinary seminars, providing answers to specific questions through the mobilization and networking of relevant experts.
Continue to build R&D partnerships with the Universités Paris Cité (UPC) and CY Cergy Paris, and the’Development Research Institute (IRD) and our International Scientific Council renewed

Find out more about research at the Institute

2 - Education

To co-create a learning society to meet the challenges of our time by multiplying the number of learners and teachers benefiting from innovative educational content and methods. To be identified as a major player in the field of Education-Research-Youth.

Prototype benchmark training programs for scientific and social entrepreneurs (e.g. Drivers for Change Summer School)
Strengthen the specificity of basic research - applied research in the’Paris University School of Interdisciplinary Research (EURIP) to enable Master's and PhD students to acquire the scientific knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills (communication, ethics, critical thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship) that are essential for training multi-skilled entrepreneurs and researchers of excellence, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century. Sustainable Development Objectives (ODD)
Position the Institut des Défis at the interface of the’Université Paris Cité, the City of Paris and citizens, to embody the ambition of creating meeting points between researchers and citizens
Create training paths, at all stages of life, dedicated to “game-changing” in order to encourage interdisciplinary, international and intergenerational learning experiences.

Find out more about our programs

3 - International Alliance

Continue to lead our global community of practice dedicated to transforming education and co-constructing a learning society. Facilitate the creation of projects designed to teach individuals to “take care of themselves, others and the planet”. Extend this community, including to companies aligned with the values of the Learning Planet Institute and the Sustainable Development Objectives (ODD). Celebrating learning during the LearningPlanet Festival and targeted events. Ensure the means to support the development of the LearningPlanet Alliance.

Strengthen and develop the LearningPlanet Alliance : Festival, The company's new products and services, including new platforms, new processes, new institutional partnerships and new sources of funding (sponsorship, patronage, etc.), are all part of the company's strategy.

Find out more about our international expertise

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Lecture series

In 2023, the Learning Planet Institute launched a series of conferences to further explore the themes of the «Sciences of Learning» Chair, as part of our collaboration with UNESCO to build a planetary university dedicated to education for peace, sustainable living and global citizenship, equipping people with the skills they need to shape a better future.

Participate in conferences

For the 2024-2025 season, the Institute is focusing on how education can foster peace, improve civic participation, strengthen democracy and inspire constructive, sustainable engagement. In response to urgent environmental, demographic, social and digital transitions, these conferences reimagine 21st century key competency research and its integration into educational programs, equipping learners to meet the challenges of planetary health.

(Re)Discover past conferences

Training the next generation of young Peace Builders - January 24, 2025

How can peace education evolve to create lasting, positive peace, and enable young leaders to become key players in conflict transformation? What strategies can be put in place with young people to help them become true peacemakers and initiate meaningful change in their communities? How can international institutions, researchers and educators work together to strengthen the impact and reach of peace education worldwide? This conference invited us to rethink peace education, not only as a means of informing and facilitating dialogue, but also as a genuine catalyst for empowering individuals and civil society in the active construction of Peace.

In the presence of : Hilary Cremin (University of Cambridge), Christopher Castle (UNESCO), Ilgın Paslı-Brombach (planIMPACT), Rina Malagayo Alluri (University of Innsbruck/UNESCO), Pavel Luksha (Global Education Futures) and Candice Mama (Author)

Skills and professions of the future - November 6, 2024

What will the future of work look like in the context of today's environmental, demographic, social and digital transitions? How can we reinvent education and train workers capable of meeting the challenges of the planet and sustainable development? This conference focused on the evolution of professions, the possible disappearance of certain occupations and the emergence of new creative skills essential to tomorrow's jobs.

In the presence of : Borhene Chakroun (UNESCO), Mahlet Rede (Econodata), Michael Fung (Institute for the Future of Education at Tecnologico de Monterre), Todd Lubart (Université Paris Descartes), Vicki Phillips (National Center on Education and the Economy), Louise Massacrier (Université Paris Cité/Learning Planet Institute), Zoe Lina Wehmeye (Université Paris Cité/Learning Planet Institute) and Iryna Nikolayeva (Learning Planet Institute).

Co-designing the future of education with young people - July 22, 2024

How can we include young people in school governance, program design and educational advocacy? How can we (re)empower young people? How can we innovate and include them in shaping the future of education?

In the presence of : Manja Klemenčič (Harvard University, Bloomsbury Handbook of Student Politics and Representation in Higher Education), Michael Winter (Oikos International), Arissa Roy (youth activist), finalists from the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge, Edward Stevenette (Learning Planet Institute) and François Taddei (Learning Planet Institute).

Learning and teaching with generative AI - March 27, 2024

How can we explore the disruptive potential of generative AI in teaching and learning?

In the presence of : Justine Cassell (Inria/Carnegie Mellon University), Delphine Le Serre (EdHu2050), Fengchun Miao (UNESCO), Colin de la Higuera (Nantes Université), François Taddei (Learning Planet Institute) and Chabab Nastar (Learning Planet Institute).

For a greener education - January 24, 2024

What initiatives, best practices and inspiring models have been put in place in elementary and secondary schools, higher education establishments and associations to move formal and informal education towards more planet-friendly practices?

In the presence of : Won Jung Byun (UNESCO), Brian MacCraith (Arizona State University), Runa Khan (Friendship), Eric Guilyardi (Office for Climate Education), Nikita Gidwani (Aga Khan Education Service) and Gaëll Mainguy (Learning Planet Institute).

Education: learning to thrive in uncertain futures - October 19, 2023

The report entitled ‘Exploring Local Learning Ecosystems in the Global South: Pathways to Thriving for Every Child’ published this year states :
“Education needs to become an avenue through which global society will overcome the challenges, gaps and systemic barriers we have created, and which COVID-19 brought into sharp focus as never before: the digital divide, the imbalance of information flows, growing economic and social inequality - particularly the long-term impact of ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences), religious, ethnic, and cultural divides, and the extreme ecological pressures humans have placed upon the Earth. The profound disruption of labour markets, as a result of technological advancements, is being further exacerbated by the current global financial instability.” How do learning ecosystems enable us to move from hardship to fulfillment?

In the presence of : Stefania Giannini (UNESCO), Laura Head (Université Paris Cité-Learning Planet Institute), Julia Hermida (Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, CONICET), Edouard Kaminski (Université Paris Cité) and François Taddei (Learning Planet Institute).