The IB senior leadership led by Director General Olli-Pekka Heinonen (second from right) at the Festival of HOPE launch in Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
Bringing the success of its Youth Ambassadors programme to India for the very first time, the Geneva-based International Baccalaureate (IB, estb. 1968) hosted the Festival of Hope in New Delhi NCR and Mumbai. Bringing together students from over 100 schools in an effort to engage young minds in impactful dialogues, the events were held in collaboration with Pathways School, Gurgaon and Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) in Mumbai. Both editions were a combination of in-person workshops and exhibitions that were successful in creating a supportive space for students to express their views and share ideas, rooted in inspiring action for a better world.
On May 29, Pathways School Gurgaon in collaboration with IB, successfully launched the Festival of HOPE, which brought together students from 38 schools pan India, creating a vibrant platform for impactful dialogue and inspiring action. During the event in Pathways School, the Haryana School Education Board chairman Dr. V.P. Yadav signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the IB in the presence of education minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar.
Under the agreement, a group of teachers from government and non-government schools would be selectively trained and subsequently be appointed as master trainers. A total of four programs would be conducted by IB which would be run in 20 schools on a pilot basis in the first phase. The programmes would subsequently be implemented across the state. Moreover, the certificates of the Haryana School Education Board would also be signed by the Swiss Board.
Pathways School, Gurgaon
Speaking on the occasion Capt. Rohit Sen Bajaj, Director of Pathways School, Gurgaon said:. “It is an honour for Pathways School Gurgaon to be among the two schools in Asia Pacific to host the Festival of HOPE in the presence of distinguished guests, Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of IB, Mat Costello, Chief Business officer IBO. Nicole Bien, Chief Schools Officer IBO, and Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan, Development and Recognition Manager, India and Nepal IBO. Their presence elevated the event to new heights, inspiring all of us to dream big and aim higher.”
Added the minister: “The signing of this MoU marks the start of the collaboration between the IB and the Board of School Education, Haryana (BSEH). We are looking at 20 schools implementing the various IB Programmes and this gives our schools the opportunity to investigate approaches to teaching-learning by embedding the IB curriculum with the NEP. Dr. Yadav is committed to improving the skills of our students and his efforts have already begun to produce extraordinary outcomes, leading to newer heights in the field of education. As IB and BSEH work together to develop new possibilities and forge a brighter future for our students, I look forward to the joint efforts of both boards”.
Board of School Education, Haryana signs MOU with IB on teacher training
Participants of the Delhi event were taken on a captivating journey that left a lasting impact. The “Hope Path Dialogues” featuring Anoushka Jolly, a 13-year-old anti-bullying app developer and Deepak Ramola, TED speaker and UN Action Plan Executor, sparked meaningful conversations and ignited a sense of hope among the young participants. Moreover, Project FUEL’s interactive performances provided transformative learning experiences, sharing valuable life lessons from around the world. The event also witnessed thought-provoking panel discussions on climate change, justice, equity, identity, belonging, and spiritual well-being.
Inspiring audiences to adopt a fresh perspective and influence change, the Exhibition of Hope showcased creative expressions and service initiatives. The Open Mic by Letters to Strangers shared powerful personal stories, fostering empathy and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
Olli-Pekka Heinonen with IB students in Mumbai
Equally captivating was the Mumbai event which kicked off with a cultural programme by Primary and Middle School students. Following which an alumni session with IB Director General Olli Pekka Heinonen delved into the power of hope as a key driver of opportunity. The event offered a diverse range of activities and presentations and welcomed eminent speakers including Indian businesswoman and Vice Chairperson of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Isha Ambani Piramal. Insightful roundtable discussions around the power of technology in inclusive and scalable education brought teachers, educators, and academicians together.
“The Festival of Hope started with the vision to support impactful ideas and conversations that translate into positive action. The exhibits by the students in New Delhi and Mumbai have proven to be powerful testimonials of this vision. What we have experienced over the last few days was truly phenomenal and has strengthened our conviction in the potential of the students, and in the IB curriculum in India,” said Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, International Baccalaureate, speaking on the occasion.
“At the IB, we want to keep empowering learners to thrive and make a difference. The Festival of Hope in India has validated our belief that youth have the vision, compassion and entrepreneurial spirit to make positive impact. Bright minds from more than 100 schools convened to show that Hope is the fulcrum for a better future. We are overwhelmed with the participation in India, and we plan to leverage bigger platforms for the youth in the country as they become agents of change,” added Nicole Bien, Chief Schools Officer, International Baccalaureate.
Known for its rigorous internationally oriented education, the IB offers the Primary Years Program (PYP, for ages 3-12), Middle Years Program (MYP, for ages 11 to 16) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmes (IBDP, for ages 16-19) to schools globally. Currently, in India, nearly 209 schools offer IB programmes.
In 2012, the IB launched its fourth program the International Baccalaureate CareerRelated Programme (IBCP) globally after a 6-year pilot. The IBCP’s unique educational framework consists of three elements: academic study; the skills-based core and a career-related study (CRS). The distinguishing feature of IBCP is that it blends academic and vocational qualifications enabling students to develop adaptable skills and cultural sensitivity required to succeed in an increasingly connected world. Currently, nearly 300 IB World Schools offer IBCP.
In September 2021, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) issued a letter recognising and accepting the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) and accorded equivalence with +2 stage (Grade 12) of an Indian School Board i.e, CBSE and other recognised/approved state school boards accepting it as an entry qualification for admission into Indian universities.
Therefore from the academic year 2023-24, selected IB schools across India will offer the IBCP program to their students. Among the schools to offer the programme is the Mumbai-based Children’s Academy International School. In this connection, IB’s senior leadership team visited the school on June 1.
IB officials at Children’s Academy International School, Mumbai
During his visit, the IB Director General Olli-Pekka appreciated the vision and the forward-thinking philosophy of the school. “IB came into force in the year 1968 and Children’s Academy was founded around the same time in 1970. I am extremely pleased that the two organisations of similar age are getting together on a mission to nurture active, compassionate and life-long learners. I am especially positive about the growth of the IBCP programme in India,” he said.
The IB has previously organised the Festival of Hope in the UK and the US bringing together spiritual leaders, artists, technologists, youth leaders, environmentalists, mental health experts and other young changemakers, and hosting sessions aimed at inspiring invitees and initiating a scalable discourse on the youth’s power to create an impact for a better tomorrow.
Looking ahead, IB plans to expand its reach further in India by investing heavily in its programmes which run across the country.
To find out more, please visit www.ibo.org/.
