This week, Kyiv is hosting the fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, uniting partners around this year’s theme: “Education Shaping the World”

Canadian teacher Maggie MacDonnell, who taught in the community of Salluit, Quebec, the winner of the 2017 Global Teacher Prize, is participating in this year’s Summit.

Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine: 

"Teachers around the world are very different, but true teachers share something in common: a desire to give students more than the formal curriculum – attention, support, opportunities, and a better future.

Today, the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, ‘Education Shaping the World’, welcomed teachers from the farthest reaches of the globe to Kyiv.

We were delighted to host a Gala Tribute to Teachers, where each of them shared their stories and experiences.

We celebrated them as stars, for they truly are stars – shining the light of their care on children’s early years and even on the entirety of their students’ future lives.

Thank you, teachers! And thank you, teachers of Ukraine, whose work is especially challenging now!

You are shaping the future, and thanks to you, it will happen!"