On 19 June 2025, UNU will host “The Future of Education, Culture and Science in the Digital Age”, a conversation with Ms. Gabriela Ramos, former UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social Sciences, OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20 and the G7. The event will start at 13:00 in the 2F Reception Hall at the UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Technology and artificial intelligence are impacting all aspects of modern life, from medicine, agriculture, engineering and industrial production to all disciplines of the creative and performing arts. How do we balance the advances in the digital world with the accompanying disruptions it also brings to our way of life? How do we combat misinformation, disinformation and digital threats? How do we bridge the digital divide between regions and within countries, promote open science and data access, and enhance the rule of law online while advancing research and sustainable policy?
Ms. Gabriela Ramos will join UNU Chief of Staff Michael Baldock for a discussion exploring the influence of digital dynamics on education, culture and science. In an era of intense technological transformation, what role will institutions play in reducing inequality gaps that polarize societies and democracies, and how can we prevent backsliding on gender equality and climate change?
The UNU Conversation Series aims to foster audience participation; you are encouraged to engage with the speakers during the conversation and at the reception that will follow, where all event attendees are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and making new contacts.
Please note that this event will be in English. Advance registration (by 18 June at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
UNU@50
This event is part of the UNU 50th anniversary celebration. To learn more, visit: https://unu.edu/unuat50
About the Speaker
Since 2020, Ms. Gabriela Ramos has been Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, where she has positioned UNESCO as a global leader, including at the G20 and the Global Digital Compact, on issues such as the ethics of artificial intelligence, inclusive development, the fight against racism and discrimination, and gender equality.
She also made significant progress in core programmes such as trust in science and the science-policy nexus, safety of scientists, youth development, intercultural dialogue and sports for social cohesion.
Ms. Ramos spent two decades at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where she served as G-20 Sherpa, Director of Cabinet, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Head of the Latin America Office. During her tenure, the number of staff increased from 2,700 to 4,500.
Her work at the OECD contributed to landmark achievements such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the first gender agreement at the G20 ('Brisbane Target'), the transformation of the international tax system and major policy reforms in education, innovation and gender, among others, with measurable results in Member States.
Ms. Ramos was born in Michoacan, Mexico. She studied for a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School (1995), and was a Fulbright and Ford MacArthur Foundation Fellow from 1993-1995. She was a Professor of International Economics at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and the Universidad Iberoamericana from 1995-1998 and holds a degree in International Relations from the Universidad Iberoamericana (1987). She has received awards from various institutions and governments. She speaks Spanish (mother tongue), English and French. She is married to Ricardo Lopez and has two daughters, Paula and Julia.
Ms. Ramos is a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, to be chosen later this year.
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