GRIFE Finnish Education and Global Perspectives Seminar Series IX

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming GRIFE Seminar Series IX, titled "Finnish Lessons and the Global Educational Reform Movement."

This session will explore Finland’s distinctive approach to education—examining the values, policies, and practices that have made its system a global benchmark for success. The discussion will also address the emerging challenges Finnish education faces today and propose strategies to uphold equity, trust, and student engagement in an ever-evolving world.

Join us for an insightful dialogue that bridges theory and practice, offering valuable lessons for reimagining education globally. Your participation will enrich the conversation as we explore innovative pathways for reform.

We look forward to seeing you there! Save the date and be part of the conversation!

Stay tuned for more details! For the latest updates, visit the GRIFE website: https://grife.eduhk.hk/ .

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us at grife@eduhk.hk .

We can’t wait to welcome you and explore these important discussions together!

Professor Pasi Sahlberg, a globally recognized scholar in educational leadership and reform, delivered a thought-provoking seminar titled “Finnish Lessons and the Global Educational Reform Movement” at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) on 13 June 2025. This event marked the ninth installment of the GRIFE Finnish Education and Global Perspectives Seminar Series.

Currently a Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Melbourne, Professor Sahlberg is renowned for his expertise in education policy, equity, and the Finnish approach to schooling. His widely read books, including Finnish Lessons 3.0, have shaped international debates around education systems, teacher professionalism, and child-centered learning.

In his seminar, Professor Sahlberg critically examined the prevailing trends associated with the Global Educational Reform Movement (GERM)—such as standardization, test-based accountability, and market-driven competition—and contrasted them with the “Finnish Way”, a model rooted in equity, trust-based responsibility, collaboration, and holistic education.

Drawing on decades of research and firsthand experience, he highlighted key challenges facing education globally, including digital distractions, diminishing student well-being, and the risks of over-efficiency in policy. Through powerful metaphors such as the “Nokia Syndrome” and “UnFinnishEd Business,” he underscored the need for systems to remain creative, humane, and resilient.

Professor Sahlberg’s central message was clear: child-centered education, professional trust in teachers, and pedagogical equity are not only essential, but achievable — and Finland continues to serve as both a cautionary tale and a hopeful model for global educators.

The seminar concluded with an engaging discussion session. Attendees from various academic and educational backgrounds posed thoughtful questions on issues such as education finance in Finland, the adaptability of the Finnish model in different sociocultural contexts, and the use of AI in school well-being monitoring. These exchanges underscored the seminar’s impact in sparking critical reflection on how global education systems can learn from — but not blindly replicate — the Finnish experience.