Master of CeremonyVerónica Díez Head of International Assessments for SpainNational Institute for Educational Assessments
Event Agenda
Draft agenda
(Time in Madrid - CEST)
Day 1 :
December 11, 202514:15 - 14:30
Driving Progress: PIAAC as a Catalyst for Spain and the World
Opening Keynote
14:30 - 15:00
From Evidence to Action: PIAAC and the Global Skills agenda
Opening Keynote
15:00 - 15:15
Data with Impact: How PIAAC is shaping EU policy
Opening Keynote
15:15 - 15:45
Coffee Break
15:45 - 17:00
Tackling Skill Gaps in the Digital and Green Economy
Panel Discussion
This session will explore how PIAAC data can help identify and address skill gaps emerging from the digital and green transitions, with a particular focus on the role of foundational skills as a basis for further upskilling. It will bring together research and policy perspectives to discuss how governments, employers, and education systems can respond to evolving labour market demands.
ModeratorPatricia Navarro-PalauLabour market economistOECD
Scene SettingGlenda QuintiniDivision Head Skills and Future ReadinessOECD
DiscussantAlex GordonMinisterial CounsellorAustralia’s permanent delegation to the OECD
DiscussantPatil JabarianStrategic Project Management & Quality CoordinatorAMS Vienna
DiscussantCésar de la Fuente RuízHead of departmentCEOE (Spanish Confederation of Employers)
DiscussantMariana BatistaEducation & Skills ManagerWindEurope
DiscussantNatascha ReinthalerDeputy Coordinator of Labour FoundationsAMS Vienna
17:00 - 20:00
COCKTAIL
Ministry Hall
Day 2 :
December 12, 202508:00 - 08:45
Reading in the digital age
Keynote
This keynote will explore how digitalisation is reshaping reading processes, comprehension, and learning - with important implications for skills development across the lifespan.
08:45 - 10:00
Bridging Education and Employment: Policies for Stronger Transitions
Panel Discussion
This session will examine how education systems can better support young people in acquiring the skills they need for successful school-to-work transitions. Using PIAAC data on educational attainment and early career outcomes, the panel will discuss effective policies to strengthen transitions and reduce the risk of long-term societal and labour market disengagement.
ModeratorFrancesca BorgonoviSenior Policy AnalystOECD
Scene SettingVibeke JakobsenSenior ResearcherThe Danish Center for Social Science Research
DiscussantØssur Kalsø HansenDeputy DirectorDanish Agency for Education and Quality
DiscussantAnn BranchHead of Unit, Union of SkillsEuropean Commission, DG EMPL
DiscussantLucia DellagneloDeputy-Director for Education and SkillsOECD
DiscussantDavid HughesChief ExecutiveAssociation of Colleges
10:00 - 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:45
Breaking the Low-Skill Trap: Solutions for Lifelong Learning
Panel Discussion
PIAAC data reveal the wide-ranging consequences of low foundational skills for individuals' employability, earnings, health, and civic engagement. This session will examine how lifelong learning policies can help address these challenges and support low-skilled adults to fully participate in the labour market and society.
ModeratorAnja MeierkordPolicy AnalystOECD
Scene SettingCarla HornbergResearch FellowWZB Berlin
DiscussantYvonne McKennaDirector of Adult Literacy for LifeSOLAS The Further Education and Training Authority
DiscussantJelena MuhinaSenior ExpertLatvian Ministry of Education and Science
DiscussantEliana CarranzaGlobal Lead for Labour and SkillsWorldbank
DiscussantCaroline Pfeiffer MarinhoVice-presidentWorld Employment Confederation
11:45 - 13:15
Lunch
13:15 - 14:30
Women and Skills: Advancing Inclusion through Lifelong Learning
Panel Discussion
Drawing on PIAAC evidence, this session will examine persistent gender-based skill gaps and the structural barriers that women face in developing and using their skills. It will discuss how education and labour market policies can address these challenges and promote more equitable participation.
ModeratorMarta Encinas-MartínSenior AdvisorOECD
Scene SettingSonja SpitzerResearcher and LecturerVienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences
DiscussantMarina BassiLead Education EconomistWorld Bank
DiscussantVictoria CummingsLead on Workforce DevelopmentSEMI (European Industrial Association)
DiscussantJustine SassChief of Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender EqualityUNESCO
DiscussantIrene RiobooResearcherEIGE (European Institute for Gender Equality)
14:30 - 16:00
The Future of PIAAC and Data-Driven Policy Making
High-level Panel Discussion
This high-level session will discuss the future of PIAAC as a data source, its role in shaping evidence-informed policy on adult skills, and the next steps for global cooperation on skills development. It will bring together senior policymakers, OECD representatives and international experts to reflect on how PIAAC can continue to support policy impact and innovation.
ModeratorClaudia TamassiaProject lead PIAACOECD
DiscussantKatju HolkeriHead of Governance and Leadership Policy UnitMinistry of Finance
DiscussantJames DavisonSenior Research OfficerUK Department of Education
DiscussantIsmael Sanz LabradorProfessor of applied economicsUniversity Rey Juan Carlos
DiscussantSoon Joo GogSkillsFuture SingaporeChief Skills Officer
DiscussantBeatrice RammstedtVice-president and ProfessorGESIS / University of Mannheim
