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Innovations and disruptions
25 Aug 2025
08:00 - 17:30 pm CEST
Oxford, UK

UKFIET 2025

Dates: 16 to 18 September 2025

Location: Oxford, UK

NORRAG at the UKFIET Conference 2025

In September 2025, NORRAG will be taking part in the UKFIET conference through different sessions, the exhibition on Education and International Cooperation will also be shown. Throughout the conference, the NORRAG Team will be at the exhibition hall, come say hi!

Mobilising knowledge, partnerships, and innovations for sustainable development through education and training

Mobilising knowledge, partnerships, and innovations for sustainable development through education and training is a theme that encapsulates the essence of collaborative learning and knowledge exchange across diverse educational contexts. This theme highlights the importance of harnessing local, regional, and global perspectives to advance innovative, inclusive, and sustainable practices at all levels of education—from primary to tertiary and from formal to informal and lifelong learning. Participants are invited to explore education’s transformative potential for sustainable development valuing localised knowledge within broader international frameworks, dialogues and commitments. The theme encourages discourse on the mechanisms of knowledge mobilisation that facilitate educational equity, bridge cultural and geographical divides, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this lens, the conference will also explore the role of mobility of knowledge, individuals, institutions, policies, practices, technologies, and resources for enhancing local and global partnerships and cultivating environments that nurture resilient learning communities worldwide.

Sub-themes

  • Skills and knowledge for sustainable futures
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • Equitable Partnerships and Cross-Cultural Collaboration
  • Inclusion and intersectionality
  • Climate and environmental justice
  • Learner safety and wellbeing
  • Systems thinking

Programme


Relational Ecologies of Knowledge and Practice: a Workshop of the Epistemic Justice Network

Wednesday 17 September 2025

1.30 to 3.00 pm BST / 2.30 to 4.00pm CEST

Room 6

Abstract

This workshop is proposed by the emergent Epistemic Justice and the Knowledge Commons Network (EpiNet) to advance collaborative research and action for transforming knowledge for the futures of education. EpiNet envisions strengthening an approach favouring relational ‘ecologies of knowledge’ over hierarchical research and partnership arrangements that have dominated knowledge production and exchange in education and research. The workshop is proposed for the Equitable Partnerships sub-theme, actively responding to the call to ‘bravely open up space’ to share ‘critical accounts and reflections on the challenges and barriers to equitable partnerships’.

Presented by: Dr. Keith Holmes, UNESCO
Authors:
  • Dr. Prachi Srivastava – University of Adelaide
  • Prof. Leon Tikly – University of Bristol
  • Dr. Keith Holmes – UNESCO
  • Prof. Catherine Odora Hoppers – University of Calgary
  • Ms. Nabila Tavolieri – University of Naples L’Orientale

Innovations in Multilingual Education for Sustainable Futures

Wednesday 17 September 2025

1.30 to 3.00 pm BST / 2.30 to 4.00pm CEST

East School

More on NSI 11: Multilingualism and Language Transition: Innovations and Possibilities

Abstract

Bringing the languages learners use everyday in their homes and communities into the classroom enhances learning. Yet, up to 40% of children worldwide do not have access to basic education in a language they can understand. Language policies and practices are a major contributor to stagnation in progress towards the 2025 SDG4 learning outcomes benchmarks. In response, researchers, governmental and non-governmental organisations are mobilising partnerships and sharing knowledge to innovate approaches to multilingual education. Their programme and system level innovations are enhancing inclusion and quality of education for children, who speak minoritized languages. However, they often encounter logistical challenges and resistance from policy makers, teachers and parents.

The symposium brings together researchers from non-profit organisations, universities and UNESCO-IBE to discuss the design and implementation of multilingual education. Examples that will be discussed include programmes for out-of-school children as well as curriculum development, assessment and teacher learning within state funded systems and are spread across four continents. Discussion following the nine quick-fire presentations will focus on drawing out insights for actionable policies and practices that enhance learning for sustainable futures. Presentations are based on new research due to be published in short format within the Norrag Special Issue #11 – Multilingualism and Language Transition: Innovations and Possibilities in May 2025. 

Presentations

  1. Innovations in multilingual education for sustainable futures: an introduction, Barbara Trudell (SIL), Angeline M. Barrett (University of Bristol), Rachel Bowden (TU Dresden University of Technology), Anthony Essien (University of the Witwatersrand), Prem Phyak (Teachers College Columbia), Barbara Trudell (SIL).
  2. Navigating Language Barriers Between Formal Education and Community at the Rwanda-DRC Border, Jo Westbrook (University of Sussex), John Simpson (British Council), Jolly Rubagiza, Delphine Mukingambehlo & Pierre Barayagwiza (University of Rwanda)
  3. Multilingual Education in Nepal: Misalignments, Challenges, and Local Realities, Devi Ram Acharya (Kathmandu University School of Education), Rajib Timalsina (Tribhuvan University) & Prem Phyak (Teachers College, Columbia University)
  4. Identifying and Defining Language Support Needs in the Second Language of Instruction Examination Context of The Seychelles, Mats Deutschmann (Örebro University) & Justin Zelime (University of Seychelles)
  5. Addressing Foundational Learning Gaps: The TaRL Language Learning from Familiar to Formal (L2F2) Methodology in Uganda’s Multilingual Education Landscape, Usha Rane, Kakula Wandi (VVOB Uganda), Stefaan Vande Walle (VVOB), Chavi Jain (TaRL Africa), Usha Rane, Tanvi Banerjee (Pratham International), Elvis Wanume (YARID)
  6. Integrating Language Revitalization and Foundational Learning in Chiapas, Mexico, Felipe J. Hevia (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social-CIESAS), Samana Vergara-Lope, Anabel Velásquez Durán (Universidad Veracruzana)
  7. L1-MLE Pedagogy in Teacher Training: Innovations for Multilingual Education in The Gambia, Clyde Ancarno (Kings College London) and Sidia Jatta 
  8. Curriculum Planning for Multilingual Education in Haiti, Beatrice Malebranche (UNESCO-IBE), Amapola Alama, Beatrice Malebranche & Amy Paunila (UNESCO-IBE)

Chair: Angeline M. Barrett, University of Bristol

Discussant: Mercy O. Martins, University of Bath

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