Looking for a better class of transformation leader

FROM OUR Where Are They Now file . . .

Former Fianna Fáil minister, Mary Hanafin is off to the Persian Gulf in the morning for a major conference on education.

She will join former British prime minister Gordon Brown and former Finnish president Tarja Halonen as one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural Transforming Education Summit in Abu Dhabi, which is organised in conjunction with the OECD.

Now that Bertie Ahern’s globetrotting speaking gigs appear to have dried up, is Mary hoping to nip into the gap? “Oh no, I’m not on the circuit,” she says. “I was asked to take part – there’s no fee involved, although they are paying my airfare and putting me up in The Emirates Palace Hotel, which is where the conference is taking place.”

Ms Hanafin will talk about leadership at all levels of education, from the teacher in the classroom to government minister.

John Dennehy, former secretary of the Department of Education, is also listed as a speaker.

According to the TES website, the conference is “looking at how to make schools and universities better, not just what makes them good!”

Mary Hanafin, and the rest of the 200 invited participants are called “education transforming leaders”.

The conference is their global forum – “uniquely focused on the dynamics of transformation”.

Surely they have A Vision? Oh, yes.

“To be the forum for effective transformation leadership and dialogue between leaders of education transformation and their key stakeholders.”

And A Concept?

Here it is: “An exclusive Abu Dhabi located Summit for dialogue of transformation leaders and key influencers to: share insights and good practices on leading education transformation; set the TES Transformation Agenda” It will provide “transformation leaders” with “enduring outcomes”. The Abu Dhabi Educational Council, which is hosting the event, will welcome “some of the world’s most accomplished political, business, philanthropic leaders, current and former ministers of education and education experts”.

The Emirates Palace is government owned and is situated on a 1.3 km stretch of private white pristine beach and 100 hectares of manicured lawns.

Built as an iconic landmark showcasing Arabian culture and hospitality at its finest, the hotel “has created an enviable niche in luxury hospitality . . . Abu Dhabi doo, Mary!”