Saudi-Based UNESCO RCQE Joins Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026

The UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) participated in the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026, held on October 23 at Beijing Normal University in China, according to an announcement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The forum convened prominent academics, researchers, and young people from around the world to examine the future of education at a moment when artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace. RCQE’s participation underscored a central theme of the gathering: that technological progress in classrooms must remain anchored to the human dimension of learning, and that students and teachers alike must be equipped to use AI responsibly, critically, and effectively. The center’s engagement in Beijing reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global conversations about education quality and innovation.

Why does a regional education center based in the Kingdom command attention at a global youth forum in China? The answer lies in the RCQE’s mandate to promote dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise on the future of education, and in its work anticipating both the opportunities and the challenges associated with digital transformation and AI. By taking part in the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026, the center reinforced its position as a bridge between Saudi Arabia’s education reform agenda and international efforts to shape learning systems that deliver greater quality and equity. The forum also provided a platform to advocate for independent thinking, creativity, and the critical evaluation of information as essential skills in an AI-saturated world.

Context and Background

What is the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, and why does its presence in Beijing matter? The RCQE is a specialized regional institution operating under the auspices of UNESCO and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its work centers on improving the quality and excellence of education systems across the region, with a particular emphasis on evidence-based policymaking, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices among member states. The center’s participation in the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 is consistent with its longstanding focus on fostering dialogue about the future of education and on helping countries prepare for the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.

The forum itself, held on October 23 at Beijing Normal University, brought together a diverse mix of academics, researchers, and young people from around the world. Beijing Normal University is one of China’s most prominent institutions for education research and teacher training, making it a fitting venue for discussions about how AI is reshaping teaching and learning. The event’s timing is significant: AI tools are being deployed in classrooms at a rapid clip, raising urgent questions about pedagogy, assessment, equity, and the role of the teacher. For the RCQE, the forum represented an opportunity to contribute a regional perspective to a genuinely global conversation, and to learn from innovations being tested in other education systems.

The gathering also took place against a broader backdrop of international cooperation on education. UNESCO has consistently called for human-centered approaches to AI in education, warning against both uncritical adoption and reflexive rejection of new technologies. The Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 aligned with that agenda by placing young people at the center of the discussion, recognizing that students are not merely recipients of technological change but active participants in shaping how it is used. The RCQE’s involvement signals Saudi Arabia’s commitment to engaging with these global debates and to ensuring that the Kingdom’s education transformation is informed by international best practice.

Key Details

What specifically did the RCQE highlight during the forum? According to the Saudi Press Agency, the center’s participation emphasized the importance of preserving the human dimension of education while strengthening independent thinking, creativity, and the critical evaluation of information. These priorities are not abstract ideals; they reflect a practical understanding that AI can either enhance or undermine learning depending on how it is integrated. The RCQE also stressed the need to support teachers and learners in using AI applications responsibly and effectively, a message that resonates with educators worldwide who are grappling with questions of academic integrity, data privacy, and the risk of over-reliance on automated tools.

Discussions accompanying the session went further, underscoring the importance of developing sustainable institutional mechanisms for youth participation in educational decision-making. The RCQE advocated involving young people in setting priorities, designing policies, and evaluating their impact, while ensuring representation across different groups and backgrounds. This emphasis on accountability is notable: it is not enough simply to invite youth to the table, the center argued, unless there are clear mechanisms for ensuring that their contributions are actually reflected in decisions. Such mechanisms require institutional commitment, transparent processes, and a willingness to share power with the next generation.

The forum also served as a venue for the RCQE to advance its broader mission of promoting dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise on the future of education. By participating in sessions alongside academics and researchers from multiple countries, the center was able to showcase Saudi Arabia’s education reform efforts while absorbing insights from other systems. The exchange of expertise is a two-way street, and the RCQE’s presence in Beijing reflects a recognition that no single country has all the answers when it comes to preparing learners for an AI-driven future. The center’s work in this area supports the development of education systems that deliver greater quality and equity and respond to learners’ needs and the aspirations of future generations.

International and Regional Impact

How does the RCQE’s participation in a global forum translate into tangible impact for the region? The center’s engagement in Beijing is part of a broader pattern of Saudi-led international cooperation in education. By contributing to global conversations about AI and learning, the RCQE helps ensure that the perspectives of the region are represented in international frameworks and guidelines. This matters because education policy is increasingly shaped by cross-border agreements and standards, and countries that are absent from these discussions risk finding themselves on the receiving end of decisions made elsewhere. The RCQE’s active presence helps position Saudi Arabia and its regional partners as shapers, not just takers, of global education norms.

The forum also highlighted the value of youth participation as a cross-cutting theme in international education policy. The RCQE’s call for sustainable institutional mechanisms for youth engagement echoes similar calls from UNESCO and other international bodies, but it adds a practical emphasis on representation and accountability. If young people are to be genuine partners in educational decision-making, the center argued, then systems must be designed to include diverse groups and backgrounds, and to track whether their input actually influences outcomes. This message is likely to resonate with policymakers across the region, many of whom are seeking to modernize education systems while maintaining social cohesion and cultural continuity.

At the regional level, the RCQE’s participation in the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 reinforces its role as a hub for knowledge exchange. The center regularly convenes experts, publishes research, and supports capacity-building initiatives across member states. Its engagement with a forum focused on AI and youth adds a new dimension to this work, reflecting the growing importance of digital literacy and critical thinking in education systems across the Middle East and beyond. By sharing its experience and learning from others, the RCQE helps build a collective understanding of how to navigate the opportunities and challenges of technological change.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why should economic policymakers pay attention to a forum about AI and education? The answer is straightforward: human capital is the foundation of sustainable economic growth, and the skills that young people acquire in school determine their productivity and adaptability in the labor market. As AI transforms industries, economies that can produce graduates who are creative, critical thinkers and who can work effectively with intelligent tools will enjoy a competitive advantage. The RCQE’s emphasis on independent thinking and responsible AI use aligns directly with the economic imperative to develop a workforce that is not merely technically proficient but also capable of judgment, innovation, and ethical reasoning.

The strategic significance extends beyond individual economies. Education is increasingly recognized as a domain of soft power and international influence. Countries that export educational models, host international institutions, and shape global standards gain influence in a world where knowledge is a key currency. Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the RCQE and its active participation in forums such as the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 are part of a broader strategy to position the Kingdom as a leader in education quality and innovation. This strategy complements economic diversification efforts by building the human capital needed for new industries and by strengthening Saudi Arabia’s network of international partnerships.

For the region as a whole, the forum’s outcomes could inform investments in teacher training, curriculum development, and education technology. The RCQE’s message that AI should support rather than replace the human dimension of education has implications for how governments allocate resources. Investing in teachers, in critical thinking curricula, and in systems that give young people a genuine voice in decision-making is not merely a matter of pedagogy; it is a strategic choice about the kind of society and economy a country wants to build. The center’s work in this area provides a framework that policymakers can adapt to their own national contexts.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does the RCQE’s participation in the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 connect to Saudi Vision 2030? The connection is direct and substantive. Vision 2030 places education at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation, recognizing that a world-class education system is essential to diversifying the economy, empowering citizens, and building a knowledge-based society. The RCQE’s work on education quality and excellence contributes to these goals by helping to raise standards, promote innovation, and ensure that Saudi students are prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing world. Its engagement in international forums amplifies the Kingdom’s voice in global education debates and brings best practices back to the region.

The center’s emphasis on youth participation also aligns with Vision 2030’s commitment to empowering young people and enabling them to contribute to national development. By advocating for institutional mechanisms that give youth a genuine role in educational decision-making, the RCQE is helping to build a culture of participation and accountability that extends beyond the classroom. This is consistent with the broader Vision 2030 objective of creating a vibrant society in which citizens are engaged, productive, and able to shape their own futures. As AI continues to reshape education and work, the RCQE’s efforts to keep the human dimension at the center of learning will remain essential to the Kingdom’s long-term success and to its role as a constructive partner in the global community.

20 Questions

Q1. What was the Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026?

A1. The Smart Futures Youth Forum 2026 was an international gathering held on October 23 at Beijing Normal University in China, bringing together academics, researchers, and young people to discuss the future of education amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence.

Q2. Who participated in the forum from Saudi Arabia?

A2. The UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE), a specialized regional institution hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participated in the forum, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Q3. Where exactly was the forum held?

A3. The forum was held at Beijing Normal University in China, one of the country’s leading institutions for education research and teacher training, on October 23, 2026.

Q4. What was the main theme of the forum?

A4. The main theme was the future of education amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence technologies, with a focus on how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and educational decision-making worldwide.

Q5. What key message did the RCQE emphasize at the forum?

A5. The RCQE emphasized preserving the human dimension of education and strengthening independent thinking, creativity, and critical evaluation of information, alongside supporting teachers and learners in using AI responsibly and effectively.

Q6. Why is the human dimension of education important in the AI era?

A6. The human dimension ensures that education remains centered on learners’ needs, values, and development, rather than being reduced to technological efficiency, and it safeguards creativity and critical thought.

Q7. What did the RCQE say about youth participation in education policy?

A7. The RCQE underscored the importance of developing sustainable institutional mechanisms for youth participation in educational decision-making, including setting priorities, designing policies, and evaluating their impact.

Q8. How can youth contributions be made meaningful in decision-making?

A8. By ensuring representation across different groups and backgrounds and strengthening accountability for the extent to which young people’s contributions are actually reflected in final decisions and policies.

Q9. What is the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education?

A9. The RCQE is a specialized regional institution operating under UNESCO auspices and hosted by Saudi Arabia, focused on improving education quality and excellence across the region through research, dialogue, and capacity building.

Q10. Why does the RCQE focus on the future of education?

A10. The center focuses on the future of education to anticipate the opportunities and challenges associated with digital transformation and AI, and to support education systems that deliver greater quality and equity.

Q11. How does AI affect education systems?

A11. AI can enhance learning through personalized tools and analytics, but it also raises concerns about academic integrity, data privacy, over-reliance on automation, and the need for critical evaluation of information.

Q12. What role do teachers play in AI-enabled education?

A12. Teachers remain central, guiding learners in the responsible and effective use of AI applications, fostering independent thinking, and ensuring that technology supports rather than replaces human interaction and mentorship.

Q13. What does the forum mean for international cooperation in education?

A13. It represents a platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise across countries, helping to align efforts on AI in education and ensuring that diverse regional perspectives are represented in global discussions.

Q14. How does the RCQE’s participation benefit Saudi Arabia?

A14. It amplifies the Kingdom’s voice in global education debates, brings best practices back to the region, and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in education quality and innovation.

Q15. What is the significance of holding the forum at Beijing Normal University?

A15. Beijing Normal University is a leading center for education research and teacher training in China, making it an appropriate venue for discussions on AI, pedagogy, and the future of learning.

Q16. How does the forum relate to Saudi Vision 2030?

A16. Vision 2030 places education at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation; the RCQE’s work on quality, innovation, and youth empowerment directly supports these goals and the building of a knowledge-based society.

Q17. What are sustainable institutional mechanisms for youth participation?

A17. They are formal, ongoing structures and processes that enable young people to contribute to setting priorities, designing policies, and evaluating impact, with clear accountability for how their input is used.

Q18. Why is critical evaluation of information important for students?

A18. In an AI-saturated environment, students must be able to assess the reliability and bias of information, distinguish fact from misinformation, and use technology thoughtfully rather than passively consuming its outputs.

Q19. What outcomes might the forum produce for education policy?

A19. The forum could inform investments in teacher training, curriculum development, and education technology, and promote policies that integrate AI responsibly while preserving the human dimension of learning.

Q20. What is the RCQE’s broader mission beyond this forum?

A20. The RCQE promotes dialogue and knowledge exchange on the future of education, supports quality and equity in education systems, and helps countries anticipate the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation and AI.

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