Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today addressed delegates representing 24 international cities during the New York City Global Partners Summit “Urban Education: Innovations in K-12.”  His remarks were part of a three-day international meeting of government officials and policymakers analyzing how global cities are transforming urban education systems, changing the management of schools, improving teaching and learning in the classroom, and using technology to educate diverse and growing populations that can compete in a global economy. The summit was developed by New York City Global Partners, Inc. in cooperation with the New York City Department of Education and Columbia University.

“Those who dare to teach also must always be ready to learn,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our schools have to embrace change because the path to security and prosperity for the people we serve, in every nation represented here today, runs straight through the classroom.”

The Mayor was joined at the summit by Marjorie B. Tiven, Commissioner, New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol and Treasurer, New York City Global Partners, Inc.; Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University in the City of New York; Meyer Feldberg, President, New York City Global Partners, Inc. and Professor and Dean Emeritus at Columbia’s Business School; and Ester R. Fuchs, Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science, Columbia University.

During the summit, participants heard from Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education, Geoffrey Canada, CEO and President, Harlem Children’s Zone, Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents, and Susan H. Fuhrman, President, Teachers College, Columbia University.

International leaders in public education from Rio de Janeiro, Helsinki, New Delhi, Shanghai, Jerusalem, Singapore, Toronto, Rome and São Paulo presented their innovative initiatives transforming large urban school systems.

The summit was attended by delegations from Antwerp, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Edinburgh, Edmonton, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, London, Luxembourg, Manila, Mexico City, Montréal, New York City, Québec City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tel Aviv, Toronto, and Tokyo.

“In order to truly transform urban education systems here in the United States and around the world, we must look for ways to create a continual sharing of innovation and best practices and this summit presents the opportunity to do just that,” said Chancellor Joel I. Klein.   

“New York City Global Partners’ summits identify the most critical public policy topics facing the worlds’ great cities,” said Global Partners President Meyer Feldberg. “K-12 education, the topic of today’s summit, undeniably is one of the most important issues. During this summit, Global Partners has created a superb opportunity for participants to share their experiences and learn about innovative programs from 24 global cities in 18 countries.”

“This summit is a unique international gathering of education reformers who are sharing their challenges and successes,” said Commissioner Marjorie Tiven. “By assembling leaders in the field from around the world, and through its ongoing student internet exchange program, Global Partners supports the goal of educating our children for the 21^st century.”

Summitevents at Columbia University are sponsored by Pearson. Additional support for other summit events was provided by Bank of America and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

About New York City Global Partners, Inc.

New York City Global Partners, Inc. connects the City of New York with other leading world cities by promoting exchange among policymakers and citizens. It encourages New York City and its more than seventy-five partner cities to learn from one another’s innovative solutions to common challenges. Formerly the Sister City Program of the City of New York, Inc., the organization was restructured and renamed in 2006 with the aim of expanding the City’s interaction with global cities. Under the Bloomberg Administration, Global Partners has convened eight international summits on pressing urban issues including the 2009 Job Creation and Workforce Development Summit and the 2008 Public Health and Climate Change Summit. In 2007, Global Partners co-sponsored the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit. Policymakers worldwide share information about their cities’ successes through the Global Partners’ Innovation Exchange, an online resource bank of global cities’ best practices. It features more than one hundred reports from thirty global cities on successfully implemented initiatives in twenty        policy areas. Global Partners Junior is the award-winning program that connects New York City youth to their international peers on the internet. It fosters global awareness and develops practical technology skills for middle school youth.  Located in the office of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol, New York City Global Partners is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit www.nyc.gov or call 311.

About the New York City Department of Education

The New York City Department of Education is the largest system of public schools in the United States, serving about 1.1 million students in nearly 1,400 schools, with approximately 135,000 employees and an annual budget of $23 billion.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

A leading academic and research university, Columbia University continually seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and addressing the complex global issues of our time. Columbia’s extensive public service initiatives, cultural collaborations and community partnerships help define the University’s underlying values and mission to educate students to be both leading scholars and informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.