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On January 7, 2025, the Global Network Seminar was held in a hybrid format, and the seminar welcomed Dr. Mari Shojo, an alumna of the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University, and currently a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank. Under the theme “Role of the World Bank in Building Better Education Systems in Africa,” Dr. Shojo discussed the World Bank’s lending and analytical activities in primary and secondary education, early childhood development, human capital development, and skills development, drawing on her extensive professional experience.

Dr. Shojo began by discussing the World Bank’s investment in education and explained that education is regarded as a critical investment in economic development and human capital development. At the same time, she highlighted the serious learning crisis facing many African countries, where increased access to schooling and a growing youth population have not necessarily been accompanied by corresponding improvements in the quality of education.

To address these challenges, Dr. Shojo introduced the World Bank’s efforts to improve learning environments. These include developing climate-friendly schools, strengthening engagement with local communities, and reforming teacher systems to enhance accountability and motivation. She also discussed the growing use of educational technology (EdTech) to improve learning environments and the quality of education. In addition, Dr. Shojo emphasized the importance of girls’ education and introduced efforts to improve infrastructure, affordability, and sanitation in order to enhance girls’ access to and retention in education. She also highlighted the importance of better aligning education with labor market needs by helping students acquire soft skills and skills relevant to local and regional contexts, while addressing the challenges faced by young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

In the latter part of the lecture, Dr. Shojo drew on her experience at the World Bank to discuss education support in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Using examples from Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Sri Lanka, she explained that while operations in such contexts involve various risks, the World Bank works with UN agencies and other partners to sustain progress in education, health, and social protection.

Following the lecture, participants engaged in a lively question-and-answer session on topics including the skills needed to work in a global environment, the strengths of studying at GSICS, and career development in international organizations. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in international development, Dr. Shojo also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and acquiring new knowledge in order to respond effectively to evolving challenges. The seminar provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the relationship between education and human capital development, learn about concrete examples of education projects in Africa and other contexts, and reflect on the World Bank’s role in education development and career opportunities in international organizations.