The Teacher Conference United Armenia’s Pedagogical Community with Leading Experts From Around the World

On October 25–26, the Ayb Educational Foundation organized the Values-Based Education Teacher Cconference, bringing together nearly 300 leading educators, education leaders, and researchers from Armenia and beyond to discuss how education can shape personal values and the future of the new generation.

The conference was held at the American University of Armenia, Ayb's educational partner and supporter.

As an organization striving for excellence in education, the Ayb Educational Foundation attaches importance to the continuous development of the capacities of teachers and principals. Therefore, through the Ayb Academy, it implements various programs to meet this goal, grounded in modern requirements and international best practice.

"One of our missions is to bring together specialists and train pedagogical communities. The Ayb Educational Foundation has previously organized conferences, but these were for representatives of the Ayb community and took place multiple times. Mindful of our mission, we decided to broaden the circle of participants in these conferences to discuss issues relevant to our society, first of all those affecting schools and general education institutions. We wanted to highlight the role of values in education, and I believe this topic is more relevant today than ever," noted Vahe Gabrielyan, executive director of the Ayb Educational Foundation, in his welcoming speech.

The two-day event featured seven keynote speeches, two panel discussions and twenty-seven workshops, enabling teachers and education leaders to share their practice and skills. The conference hosted speakers from Armenia, particularly the Ayb community, as well as from prestigious international institutions. The keynote speeches were delivered by Fr. Mesrop Aramian, Ayb’s co-founder; Aram Pakhchanyan, chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Ayb Educational Foundation; Steve King, Abigail Barnett, and Dan Bray from the University of Cambridge; Tatiana Popa from Moldova; Paata Amonashvili from Georgia; and Hagop A. Yacoubian from the American University of Armenia.

Araksia Svajyan, deputy minister of the RA ESCS Ministry, also welcomed the participants of the teacher conference. “We do not dare to begin our responsible and change-oriented processes without collaborating with Ayb. Our joint efforts yielded the introduction of the state general education standard in Tavush region, enhancement plans for the STEM subjects, as well as initiatives to change the school management system and prepare education leaders. This collaboration allows us to implement qualitative changes in general education," the deputy minister noted in her speech.

The Values-Based Education Teacher Conference became a unique platform for the exchange of practice, ideas, and innovative approaches. Over the course of two eventful days, participants explored all aspects of values-based education, including values-driven educational reforms, social-emotional learning, development of collaboration and critical thinking, project-based learning, the role of artificial intelligence, teacher self-reflection.

The conference also featured panel discussions, addressing the strategic and ideological pillars of the values-based education.

The first panel discussion was "Values-Based Education as a Means of Preserving National Identity." The participants discussed the notion that spiritual and moral values lie at the heart of preserving national identity, which education should not merely convey but bring to life.

The second panel discussion focused on "Challenges and Opportunities of the Integration of Values-Based Curriculum in Schools." This discussion focused on establishing values-based education as a key component of learning and on its practical methods, policies, and the creation of a conducive school environment.

Those present firmly believed that education should both impart knowledge and instill values, fostering a conscious and responsible generation.

ABC Media’s reference
MoESCS reference
Armenia TV’s reference