From 22 to 26 March 2025, Chicago was the epicentre of the global debate on education with the celebration of the CIES – Comparative & International Education Society. This event brings together academics, researchers, policy-makers, and education professionals to discuss the key challenges and opportunities in global learning.
This year, the focus was on “Envisioning Education in a Digital Society”, a key theme in a world where digitalization is transforming the way we teach and learn. Key issues were addressed, including equitable access to technology, learning in digital environments, and the impact of artificial intelligence on education.
In this context, ProFuturo actively participated in the event’s agenda to share its experience and reflections on digital education and equity in access to technology. Our representatives, Valentina Ríos and Leticia Rato, participated in various sessions to discuss how digital tools can improve educational quality and reduce learning gaps in vulnerable communities.
Measuring the impact of digital education: Keys from ProFuturo
On 24 March, Valentina Ríos, Strategy and Evaluation Manager at ProFuturo, participated in the session “Digital Tools in Education: Opportunities, Gaps, and Policies Shaping Learning in Classrooms,” where she addressed the benefits and challenges of using technology in the classroom. In her speech, she highlighted how ProFuturo has developed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system that allows for measuring the impact of digital education on a large scale.
ProFuturo has built a strong culture of data-driven assessment, combining tools such as the ProFuturo Analytics System (PAS), the School Assessment and Transformation Tool (SAT), and the Self-Assessment Tool for teachers’ digital competencies. This measurement ecosystem collects more than 250 million records daily and generates periodic analyses that facilitate strategic decision-making, the adaptation of interventions, and the identification of best practices. In addition, it has conducted more than 20 field studies to understand what works in digital education and how teaching and learning processes can be improved in vulnerable contexts.
Bridging the digital divide in refugee education
For her part, Leticia Rato, Manager of Global Alliances and Institutional Relations, participated in the session “Bridging the Digital Divide: Advancing Refugee Connected Education through Global Collaboration”, together with experts from Learning Equality, EdTech Hub, Learning Upgrade and more, in a panel led by ACNUR and moderated by Seun B. Adebayo.
In her speech, Rato highlighted ProFuturo’s commitment to the education of refugee children, underlining the importance of strategic alliances with organizations such as ACNUR, IRC, Save the Children and the American University of Beirut. Through these agreements, ProFuturo not only provides technology but also promotes teacher training and the development of community initiatives that ensure sustainable, quality learning in vulnerable and emergency environments. A key example of this work is the collaboration in Rwanda, where, together with the Ministry of Education, It seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of digital education.
Reflections and lessons learned
CIES 2025 has been an opportunity to exchange knowledge, learn from other industry experts, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive digital education. We’ve explored new strategies, discussed current challenges, and reaffirmed our purpose: to ensure that no child is left behind in the digital revolution.
We will continue working resolutely to bring quality digital education to the places that need it most.
#EducatingTransforms
Would you like to know more about ProFuturo’s commitment to education?
More information available at: https://profuturo.education/
X: @ProFuturo_
IG: @profuturo_
FB: @ProFuturoEducation
YT: ProFuturo
LK: ProFuturoEducation
