From October 16 to 18, Armenia is hosting the international conference of eTwinning, the pan-European school education program, bringing together around 60 representatives from more than 10 countries worldwide.

This year’s conference focuses on the theme “Future-ready schools: How can we prepare learners for an uncertain and rapidly changing world?”

Welcoming the participants of the conference, Artak Poghosyan, Director of the National Centre for Educational Technologies under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, highlighted the importance of Armenian schools’ participation in the eTwinning community in terms of international cooperation, experience-sharing, modern pedagogical approaches and educational innovation.

“I firmly believe that eTwinning is more than just a platform for school-to-school collaboration and the implementation of joint projects. Above all, it is about people—teachers living in different parts of the world who have the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, learn from one another and create new opportunities for their students. We have gathered here today not only to share our professional expertise but also to meet new people, discover new opportunities and, hopefully, build new friendships and partnerships,” Artak Poghosyan said.

Under the theme “Future-ready schools”, conference participants will spend three days discussing a wide range of issues related to the future of education, the use of artificial intelligence, critical thinking and teacher well-being.

Reflecting on the objectives of the conference, Tatevik Yapunjyan, Coordinator of the eTwinning Armenia program, noted that they extend beyond the exchange of ideas. The primary goal of the three-day discussions is to turn those ideas into action.

“Future-ready school, is not simply one that uses tomorrow’s technologies and tools. It is a school that helps every learner develop the knowledge, skills, values and confidence needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. It is a school where learners are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, be creative, collaborate with others and learn from their mistakes,” Tatevik Yapujyan said.

Artificial intelligence and critical thinking are among the conference’s key topics, reflecting their growing prominence on the contemporary education agenda. The use of digital tools in schools requires not only technological skills but also the ability to analyze information, verify facts and draw independent conclusions.

During the conference, participants will have opportunities to find partners and develop projects together. This format will enable them to explore ideas for joint initiatives and lay the groundwork for international educational projects involving their students.

Since 2013, more than 780 Armenian schools and approximately 1,400 teachers have joined the eTwinning pan-European program. More than 50 teachers have participated in international seminars, while dozens have developed and taken part in international projects, with some also winning international competitions. In Armenia, the eTwinning program is coordinated by the National Centre for Educational Technologies.