From 2003 to 2011, the Global Education Initiative (GEI), engaged leaders from business, government, academia, international organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations to create positive, sustainable and scalable change at the global and local levels. Launched at a time when global understanding of how to create and sustain large-scale partnerships was still being developed, the GEI has contributed to this understanding in its many activities.

At the national level, multistakeholder, action-based partnership initiatives were created in Jordan, Rajasthan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories, impacting over 2 million students and catalysing over US$ 150 million in education-related contributions/investments. At the global level, in partnership with UNESCO, the GEI launched a coalition of over 50 companies, experts, NGOs and governments – the Partnerships for Education – with an objective to research and bring to scale multistakeholder partnerships in education. The GEI also worked with the Education for All’s Global Partnerships for Education, including serving on its board from 2008 to 2010 and convening regional discussions and action groups on the role of education in innovation and entrepreneurship based on the Educating the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs report.

The GEI formally ended its activities in summer 2011 with the release of its Retrospective on Partnerships for Education Development 2003-2011. The report traces the history of the GEI since its creation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2003 and the it legacy created in the many ongoing initiatives of its many workstreams. The report provides an overview of the lessons learned and the key success factors required to manage a large-scale, multi-partnership initiatives in education, many of which are applicable to non-education based initiatives.

The challenges in education and the opportunities it provides as an enabler for economic growth and employment remain a global priority. The World Economic Forum's work on education continues through the work of the Global Agenda Council on Education Systems, which has identified three areas of focus: 

School Leadership and Teacher Development
Council members working on this topic are considering how policies and programs have to change to create an environment that supports school leadership and teacher development necessary to advance the quality of education.  In particular, what steps need to be taken at the local, national, and international levels? 

Metrics on Education Systems and Policies
This group examines how far countries around the world have progressed with respect to access, quality and equity of education, and what steps need to be taken next in the short and long run. How can metrics be used to advance filling the gaps and improve effectiveness? 

Life-long Learning and Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education is critical to effective outcomes in primary and secondary school.  Life-long learning is essential both for closing existing equity gaps and for adults’ ability to adapt to a changing work place.  This group brings a life-course approach to the education agenda, spanning from early childhood care and education to life-long learning.