At the summit, we aim to find collaborative solutions to support the development of the teaching profession, with a focus on strengthening teacher and school leadership autonomy and the effective use of AI.
Programme overview
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Please note - at the Different Rooms Club, indoor footwear is required. Slippers will be provided on site for your convenience. Guests are also welcome to bring their own indoor shoes if preferred.
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Reception at the Estonian Statehood House, hosted by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis.
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President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis
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“System Update” is an opening performance that combines music, live performance and narration to trace the evolution of education from 1880 to 2076, presenting 2026 as a pivotal moment of transformation. The Opening Ceremony features an address by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, followed by a keynote by Minister Kristina Kallas, who presents “The Story of Estonian Education”.
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President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis
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Kristina Kallas Minister of Education and Research
Kristina Kallas, PhD is a distinguished Estonian politician, political scientist, and educator. As of April 2023, Kristina Kallas is a prominent member of the Estonian government, serving as the Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia.
According to PISA results, Estonia has one of the world’s leading education systems. Minister Kristina Kallas is convinced that technology in education is a means to empower individuals, enhance educational outcomes, and ensure inclusivity, assuring the continued future readiness of the Estonian education system.Prior to her career in politics, Kristina Kallas was a researcher at the University of Tartu. Simultaneously, in 2015-2019 she was the Director of the Narva College of the University of Tartu. As an expert consultant for several organisations and projects such as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kristina Kallas has advised many governments in the area of integration policy, including Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
Throughout her career, Kristina Kallas has been committed to equipping future leaders to navigate diverse and multicultural societies, including through her teaching at the University of Tartu.
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The Opening Session will begin with an introduction by the moderaator Annika Arras This will be followed by welcome addresses from Ms Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research of Estonia, Mr Reemo Voltri of the Estonian Educational Personnel Union (EEPU), a video message from Mr Mattias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Mr David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International (EI). The session will also feature an address by Mr Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine. This will be followed by two briefings introducing ISTP 2026: Mr Andreas Schleicher from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will present the OECD perspective, and Ms Antonia Wulff, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research at Education International (EI). The session will conclude with closing remarks by the moderator.
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In a world shaped by complex global challenges and rapid technological advancements, we are facing the demand to rethink the concept of learning, to redesign our approaches to teaching and hence, to reimagine what it truly means to be an educator. How might we embrace and further nudge the evolving teaching profession? How can we guarantee that we are preparing our teachers to be agile professionals who embrace the unknown, and empower their students to do the same? How can we strengthen meaningful relationships and collaboration between teachers and learners in an evolving educational landscape? Even more, just as the teaching and learning process is evolving, so too must our understanding of the pathways of becoming a teacher, of diverse career perspectives of educators. Becoming a teacher by completing respective studies is no longer the first choice of career for many and we must find new ways to support career decisions in favour of becoming an educator lifelong and life wide. This is as much a matter of educational policy as it is one of purpose and strategic foresight.
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Finding a balance between attracting new talent while also nurturing continuous professional growth is a challenge faced by all education systems. Across successful education systems, certain common features emerge. Professional autonomy – for both teachers and school leaders – has consistently proven to be a powerful enabler of innovation, well-being, and long-term improvement. But autonomy is not a stand-alone value; it rests on trust and is meaningful only in a collaborative culture. Trust in school leaders to guide change with vision and care. Trust in teachers to lead their practice and curriculum implementation with accountability, integrity and competence. And trust in learners to take ownership of their educational journey. This interplay between autonomy and trust invites us to reflect more deeply on the foundations of resilient and future-ready education systems, at the heart of which is the teacher with their understanding of their own teaching practices, coupled with a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. It also raises an essential policy challenge: how can policymakers and trade unions, also in cooperation with other social partners, work together to build and sustain education systems grounded in trust and meaningful professional autonomy?
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Education systems around the world are changing to keep pace with an increasingly complex and fast-moving world. This shift presents both an opportunity and a responsibility: to integrate new technologies – especially artificial intelligence (AI) – into teaching and learning in ways that genuinely empower educators and help every student thrive. AI is no longer a question of the future in education; it is already a catalyst in today’s learning environments. The critical question is: how can we make the most of AI as a tool in our hands to take a sustainable and evidence-based leap into the future now? What is the potential of AI to address some of the most crucial challenges we face in education today – from access to good quality education despite the socio-economic disparities, to more personalised approaches to make sure that our learners are able to catch up and stay motivated for learning?
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Kristina Kallas Minister of Education and Research
Kristina Kallas, PhD is a distinguished Estonian politician, political scientist, and educator. As of April 2023, Kristina Kallas is a prominent member of the Estonian government, serving as the Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia.
According to PISA results, Estonia has one of the world’s leading education systems. Minister Kristina Kallas is convinced that technology in education is a means to empower individuals, enhance educational outcomes, and ensure inclusivity, assuring the continued future readiness of the Estonian education system.Prior to her career in politics, Kristina Kallas was a researcher at the University of Tartu. Simultaneously, in 2015-2019 she was the Director of the Narva College of the University of Tartu. As an expert consultant for several organisations and projects such as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kristina Kallas has advised many governments in the area of integration policy, including Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
Throughout her career, Kristina Kallas has been committed to equipping future leaders to navigate diverse and multicultural societies, including through her teaching at the University of Tartu. -
Reemo Voltri Estonian Educational Personnel Union (EEPU)
Reemo Voltri, the president of the Estonian Education Personnel Union (EEPU) has been an influential figure in Estonia’s education landscape for more than a decade. For the last 13 years, he has led the Estonian Educational Personnel Union (EEPU), the country’s largest organization representing kindergarten, hobby school, general education, and vocational education teachers, along with many other educational professionals.
Alongside his work in the union, Voltri also teaches physics in an elementary school. With nearly 25 years of experience in front of the classroom, he brings the everyday reality of teachers directly into national discussions.
In 2023 Voltri was a central figure in organizing the nationwide teachers strike, which drew wide participation and received strong support from the public. Under his leadership, the strike brought important issues – like sustainability of the teaching profession, funding and workload – into public focus.
Over the years he has taken part in various policy discussions and public debates, aimed at improving Estonia’s education system, and strengthening the role of educational professionals. He believes that education lays the foundation for the success of any country and investing in education is an investment in society.
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Andreas Schleicher Director for Education and Skills at OECD
Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He initiated and oversees the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international instruments that have created a global platform for policy-makers, researchers and educators across nations and cultures to innovate and transform educational policies and practices.
He has worked for over 20 years with ministers and education leaders around the world to improve quality and equity in education. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that Schleicher “understands the global issues and challenges as well as or better than anyone I’ve met, and he tells me the truth” (The Atlantic, July 11). Former UK Secretary of State Michael Gove called Schleicher “the most important man in English education” – even though he is German and lives in France.
Before joining the OECD, he was Director for Analysis at the International Association for Educational Achievement (IEA). He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.
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David Edwards, PhD General Secretary of Education International
David Edwards, PhD is General Secretary of Education International, the voice of teachers and other education employees around the world. Through its 375 member organisations, Education International represents over 33 million teachers and education support personnel in 180 countries.
Dr Edwards leads the organisation since 2018, after seven years as Deputy General Secretary directing education policy, advocacy, research and communications.
Prior to joining Education International, Dr Edwards was an Associate Director at the National Education Association of the United States. He has worked as an Education Specialist at the Organization of American States and began his career as a public high school teacher. Follow Dr Edwards on LinkedIn.
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Annika Arras ISTP 2026 Moderator
Annika Arras is CEO of Miltton New Nordics and a senior strategic advisor with extensive experience in communications, public affairs, and organisational development. She advises top-level executives, political leaders, and organisations on strategic positioning, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
Arras is an experienced event moderator and conference content curator, working both in Estonia and internationally. She is widely recognized as a public commentator, regularly contributing to media discussions on domestic and international politics.
She has over a decade of experience as a political communication strategist, having led multiple successful election campaigns for Estonia’s Reform Party and its prime ministers until 2015. Since then, she has worked internationally, advising political leaders and organizations across Europe and beyond. In 2016, together with the ALDE Party and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, she co-founded Alliance of Her, an empowerment and leadership program for women in politics, where she continues to train and mentor participants.
Arras is a visiting lecturer in Strategic Communications at TalTech’s MBA program and has taught change management, public policymaking, and political communication at leading Estonian universities.
She holds a BA in Finnish Philology from Tallinn University, an MBA from Estonian Business School, and a Specialized Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. Her native language is Estonian; she is fluent in English and Finnish and has basic knowledge of Russian and Italian.
In 2024, Arras was nominated among the top three candidates for Estonia’s Best CEO of the Year.
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An informal working lunch dedicated to the discussion of emerging trends and broader perspectives related to PISA will take place at Small Hall, Kultuurikatel. OECD and Education International (EI) will share insights into key developments and international outlooks. The discussion will be moderated by Kristina Kallas and will include an OECD presentation, ministerial remarks, and an open exchange among participants. Participants include Heads of Delegation and two union representatives from each country.
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Kristina Kallas Minister of Education and Research
Kristina Kallas, PhD is a distinguished Estonian politician, political scientist, and educator. As of April 2023, Kristina Kallas is a prominent member of the Estonian government, serving as the Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia.
According to PISA results, Estonia has one of the world’s leading education systems. Minister Kristina Kallas is convinced that technology in education is a means to empower individuals, enhance educational outcomes, and ensure inclusivity, assuring the continued future readiness of the Estonian education system.Prior to her career in politics, Kristina Kallas was a researcher at the University of Tartu. Simultaneously, in 2015-2019 she was the Director of the Narva College of the University of Tartu. As an expert consultant for several organisations and projects such as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kristina Kallas has advised many governments in the area of integration policy, including Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
Throughout her career, Kristina Kallas has been committed to equipping future leaders to navigate diverse and multicultural societies, including through her teaching at the University of Tartu. -
Andreas Schleicher Director for Education and Skills at OECD
Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He initiated and oversees the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international instruments that have created a global platform for policy-makers, researchers and educators across nations and cultures to innovate and transform educational policies and practices.
He has worked for over 20 years with ministers and education leaders around the world to improve quality and equity in education. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that Schleicher “understands the global issues and challenges as well as or better than anyone I’ve met, and he tells me the truth” (The Atlantic, July 11). Former UK Secretary of State Michael Gove called Schleicher “the most important man in English education” – even though he is German and lives in France.
Before joining the OECD, he was Director for Analysis at the International Association for Educational Achievement (IEA). He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.
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More information: https://istp2026.ee/post-tours/
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