At the WSIS Action Line C7 session held in July 2025, UNESCO highlighted several key initiatives designed to advance e-learning. These included the importance of Open Educational Resources (OER) as reinforced by the Dubai Declaration, the ongoing development and country-level implementation of the ICT Competency Framework for Teachers, the rollout of AI Competency Frameworks for both teachers and students, as well as policy guidelines to guide the educational use of AI. Additionally, UNESCO emphasised its partnership with UNICEF on the Gateways to Public Digital Learning initiative.
IFIP has strongly supported these efforts, notably through its 2025 IFIP and the Computer Society of Sweden (DFS) Stockholm Declaration and through its Task Force on digital education for learners aged 5–18. IFIP’s intervention at the WSIS session aligned closely with UNESCO’s strategic focus, particularly in recognising the importance of education transformation in the digital age.
Key issues raised at the session provide essential input for the WSIS+20 review. First, it is vital to recognise that capacity and aptitude for lifelong learning have become essential in the age of AI. As automation and intelligent systems rapidly reshape the workforce, individuals must be prepared to learn and adapt continuously throughout their lives.
Second, problem-solving and computational thinking have become more critical than ever. Education must equip learners not just with knowledge, but with the skills to understand, question, and apply that knowledge in complex and changing environments.
Third, the role of teachers must be strengthened. Both UNESCO and IFIP stressed the need to upskill educators and ensure they are equipped to teach in digitally enriched environments. Fourth, inclusion remains a major challenge. Persistent digital divides – whether due to gender, disability, socioeconomic status or geography – must be addressed to ensure that digital learning reaches all learners.
Fifth, there is a growing need for coordinated policies and collaboration among governments, educational institutions, technology providers and civil society to support scalable, sustainable digital learning ecosystems.
Looking to the future of WSIS and specifically Action Line C7, IFIP believes the WSIS+20 review should focus on five key areas:
- Embedding lifelong learning frameworks that are adaptive and supported by AI-enhanced tools.
- Prioritising the development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills within curricula.
- Empowering teachers through professional development aligned with digital and AI competencies.
- Bridging the digital divide through inclusive access to technology and learning content, especially via OER and accessible digital platforms.
- Fostering strong policy ecosystems and partnerships that align efforts across all stakeholders involved in digital education.
IFIP’s active role in UNESCO’s session underscores a shared vision: that learners are prepared for a future shaped by AI and lifelong learning, that teachers are empowered and digitally competent, that digital inclusion becomes a reality for all, and that strong partnerships and coherent policies drive educational transformation forward.