The Global Career Education Forum 2026 brings together a diverse, experienced group of leaders committed to advancing career readiness worldwide. This invitation-only gathering brings together educators, career education and guidance practitioners, industry partners, and leading policy and research organizations shaping career education worldwide, ensuring that every student has access to opportunities that prepare them for future careers.

The theme of the Forum, “Shaping Students’ Career Readiness and Future Skills Through Partnerships,” reflects the critical role of collaboration across sectors in creating meaningful, equitable career learning opportunities. Building on two years of learning and action through the Global Career Education Network and the Future of Work Initiative, the Forum highlights insights that show how partnerships and system-level alignment can unlock impactful career education— helping students explore possibilities and develop the skills, confidence, and adaptability they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Over two days, participants will explore approaches and practices that:

• Ensure student access and relevance, providing learning experiences that are meaningful, locally grounded, and connected to future pathways;
• Strengthen delivery through partnerships, collaboration, capacity building, and technology, creating consistent, high-quality experiences for all students;
• Enable system-level transformation through coherent outcome frameworks, aligned policies, and leadership that support scalable and sustainable impact.

The Forum is designed to move participants from insight to action. It provides a space to connect across sectors and geographies, reflect on lessons learned, and co-create solutions that advance system-level change. By combining evidence, practice, and collaboration, participants will leave with tangible ideas and commitments that can strengthen career education in their contexts, as well as globally, ensuring every student benefits from meaningful, future-ready learning experiences.

This framing prepares participants to engage in a learning experience that combines evidence, real-world practice, and structured co-creation. Across two days, the Forum moves deliberately from shared learning and system-level reflection to the development of Minimum Viable Solutions, practical next steps, and mechanisms for sustained impact beyond the event.

Explore the Forum’s agenda.