Academic Leaders Launch Global Think Tank on AI and Innovative Education
- bowenwang6
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 6
19 September 2025, New York, USA — The International Academy for Arts and Cultural Studies (IAA) successfully organized the Science, Technology & Innovation for a Sustainable Future Forum at UN Headquarters in New York. The event, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research New York Office (UNITAR-NYO) and Shanghai University (SHU), convened diplomats, scholars, and industry leaders to focus on harnessing artificial intelligence and innovative education to empower future generations.
With support from the Consortium for Diplomacy and Global Action of Teachers College, Columbia University (CDGA), the forum brought together distinguished leaders from academia and international development to address the transformative impact of technology on youth education and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Marco A. Suazo, Ambassador, Head of the Office of UNITAR-NYO. Mr. Congchun Wang, Vice President of Shanghai University, and Mr. Amine Mechaal, Executive Director for Global Engagement at Teachers College, Columbia University, also addressed the assembly, affirming their institutions' commitment to the forum's mission.
Central to the forum was the official launch of a new global think tank, an initiative established in partnership with Shanghai University. This was marked by a ceremony for the think tank’s initiating institutions and the unveiling of its collaborative academic publication, the Puzzle Journal. Key presentations included an educator’s perspective on technology education for youth from Ms. Yinan Zhang, a Research Scholar at Shanghai University. The newly launched Puzzle Journal was introduced by its editor, Dr. Zhiqiang Liu.
The forum featured academic contributions from leading scholars. Dr. Christopher Moffett, a Research Scholar at the Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University, presented on "The Ambiguity of Technology: Rigorous Pedagogy before Solutionism for Sustainable Learning." Dr. Prem Bahadur Phyak, an Associate Professor of International and Comparative Education at Teachers College — Columbia University, followed the discussion with "Whose Science and Innovation? Language Policy and Multilingualism for a Reparative STEM Education."
The keynote lecture, "From Classrooms to Communities: Harnessing Innovation for a Sustainable Future," was delivered by Dr. Amaj Rahimi Midani, a Laureate of COP 28, Scientist, and Research Scholar in Environmental Sciences. The session, moderated by Dr. Midani, concluded with an engaging Q&A with the audience.
Closing remarks were provided by Mr. Congchun Wang and H.E. Marco A. Suazo, who both reiterated their dedication to the collaborative spirit of the event. The launch of the global think tank and its journal served as a new step in mobilizing the specialized expertise of academic institutions to address global challenges, build long-term collaborations, and achieve sustainable development for all.
