Dr Graus’s keynote address will focus on KidZania’s global education strategy, including its Think-Tank, Ambassador Schools and Industry Partners. Its local, contextualised implementation, and the evaluations in partnership with Tecnológico de Monterrey, Havas Helia and Tribal Planet Inc amongst others, leading to a ‘Global Barometer of Children’s Aspirations’. Dr Graus will outline how KidZania’s approach to education and entertainment is leading to enhanced life chances for children, through purposeful and innovative ways of engaging with the private sector, an evidence-based voice in the world of education and entertainment, as well as a sustainable, socially responsible approach to partnerships: return on involvement instead of return on investment. And it’s all great fun too! ‘Children can only aspire to what they know exists’ is Dr Graus’s mantra and he sees KidZania’s approach to education and entertainment as a significant piece in the large jigsaw which portrays a better world with endless horizons for people who deserve it most: our children. In summary, in his address Dr Graus will cover:  A background of KidZania  KidZania’s Global Education Strategy  KidZania research and what it tells us all about social mobility  The importance of children’s education both inside and outside the classroom  Building a creative approach to social mobility KidZania aims to create a different approach to social mobility by gathering an understanding of choices made by children, based on social background, geographic location, gender and ethnicity, in order to work with policymakers to raise aspirations globally. Note: KidZania, founded in Mexico in 1999, is a child-sized city, where visitors, aged from 4 to 14, choose realistic activities in a safe and secure place. Typically, children who visit can choose from up to 60 career roles in a number of different work environments – from banking, theatre, and police work to aviation, broadcasting, YouTubing, and aviation. Children read the news, land aeroplanes, perform a liver transplant, fight fires and prepare food. The organisation has grown to over 26 locations globally with a further 12 under development. KidZania has globally welcomed some 72 million visitors since 1999. 

In this seminar, Dr Graus will be drawing on his experience and research as Global Director of Education at KidZania, as founding CEO of the Children’s University, and also on his many memories as a Teacher, Senior Manager, Inspector, Adviser and Director. The focus will be on experience-based learning, purpose, independence, fun and “wilding the tame”, all leading to better outcomes for children and young people. In an education world so strongly focussed on testing and inspection, how can we through brave and bold leadership empower children to make sense of the purpose of it all and motivate them to want more? What lessons need to be learned and actions taken to enhance the pedagogy of curiosity, discovery and adventure, to enable free-range learning? Come and find out more…