João Costa elected chair of the OECD Education Policy Committee

The Minister of Education João Costa was elected chair of the OECD’s Education Policy Committee by unanimity. This committee is charged with coordinating the OECD’s activity in the field of education. 

João Costa is the first Portuguese to be picked for the job. The term in office, which lats for three years, will start on 1 January 2024 and end on 31 December 2026.

The current Minister of Education is a chair professor at the Nova University of Lisbon’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities. Before becoming a member of Government, he headed the University of Nova’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities and chaired the Scientific Board of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Science and Technology Foundation. 

Quality educaiton for all 

The committee is made up of national representatives of the 38 Member States and is charged with coordinating the OECD’s activity in the educaiton sector, deepen cooperation between countries, and contribute to defining public policy.

At the meeting held on Wednesday (15 November), the Committee’s governing board was also elected, which will include representatives from Ireland, Slovenia, Finland, Japan, Holland, Switzerland, and Australia. The Australian Alex Gordon was elected co-chair of the committee among this group of counties.

UNESCO and the European Union also attend the committee, strengthening the work of collaboration and complementarity between the international multilateral organisations to build quality education for all.