MANAMA, Bahrain, July 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the UK and Ireland's leading education experts are among an elite list set to address a global education summit in Bahrain this October, it was announced today.

Charles Leadbetter, an advisor to 10 Downing Street and the European Commission; Ewan McIntosh, National Advisor for Learning and Teaching Scotland; and Seamus Hegarty, Chair of the International Association of Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), will join peers from Columbia University, Boston College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education at the Education Project 2010.

The second occasion of the annual event - initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB) - runs from 8-10 October. Other speakers from the UK and Ireland include Roberta Linehan, Headmistress of Unicorn School; and Marie Parker-Jenkins, Professor of the Department of Education at the University of Limerick.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising the event, added: Education is the single most important factor in bringing stability, productivity and prosperity to all societies. Our goal in Bahrain in establishing the Education Project was to bring together an international community of educators. To have experts from the UK and Ireland on board - to offer their expertise in identifying practical solutions to address the gap in the global education system - will help to ensure a platform from which to further inspire positive change.

Despite increased government spending, education outcomes worldwide have declined over time. The Education project was established to share best practice and create a practical approach that educators can follow to make a difference. Hundreds of professionals from 36 countries joined together at the Education project 2009. In October, leading figures from academia, business and politics will again take the stage; Leadbetter, McIntosh, Hegarty, Linehan and Parker-Jenkins will offer valuable insight.

Leadbetter is an advisor to the Department for Education's Innovation Unit on future strategies for more networked and personalised approaches to learning and education. McIntosh, one of Europe's foremost experts in digital media for education, has also consulted on successful education and technology policies for Governments worldwide; he has led investments in start-ups and education projects of nearly $5m on behalf of public and private investors.

Hegarty holds visiting professorships at four universities, served as Director of the National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales for twelve years and chairs the Education for All working group within the UNESCO UK National Commission. He serves on the National Council for Special Education in Ireland and has advised UNESCO and other international bodies on issues relating to assessment and special needs for over 20 years.

The Education Project is free to attend for educational professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in education. Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register online visit: http://www.educationprojectbahrain.org

Notes to editors

Other speakers confirmed for the Education project 2010 include:

- Charles Leadbeater, advisor to the government of Shanghai, European Commission and 10 Downing St, UK - Cindy Johanson, executive director, George Lucas Educational Foundation, USA - Edward B Fiske, former education editor, New York Times, USA - HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates - Helen Ladd, Professor of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, USA - Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools, USA - David Hogan, Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, National Institute of Education, Singapore - Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder, KIPP - Mona Mourshed, Partner Middle East, McKinsey Company, United Arab Emirates - Patrick Griffin, Executive Director, Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills, AT21C University of Melbourne, Australia - Ralph Tabberer, Chief School Officer, GEMS, United Arab Emirates - Steven Joel Trachtenberg, former President of George Washington University and author of Big Man on Campus, USA - Tom Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA - Tony Wagner, Co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard Graduate School of Education

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit http://www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit http://www.bahrain.com

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Further information Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board Tel: +973-17-589-930 Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger Tel: +44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689 Email: kbergius@goodrelations.co.uk Doreen Bonnami, The Experience Tel: +1-212-794-8801 x1105 Email: Doreen.Bonnami@theexperiencecorp.com

SOURCE: The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

CONTACT: Further information - Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain EconomicDevelopment Board, Tel: +973-17-589-930, Email:internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com ; Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger, Tel:+44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689, Email:kbergius@goodrelations.co.uk ; Doreen Bonnami, The Experience, Tel:+1-212-794-8801 x1105, Email: Doreen.Bonnami@theexperiencecorp.com