MANAMA, Bahrain, July 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A South African social entrepreneur behind an education project that has received acclaim from Nelson Mandela and former President Thabo Mbeki is among an elite list set to address a global education summit in Bahrain this October, it was announced today.

Dr Taddy Blecher from Johannesburg, CEO and co-Founder of the renowned CIDA City Campus, will join speakers from Harvard University, the European Commission, 10 Downing Street and Microsoft at the Education Project 2010. The second occasion of the annual event - initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB) - runs from 8-10 October.

The CIDA City Campus is the first virtually free University in South Africa for the historically disadvantaged. Many international experts consider it the most innovative attempt so far to help the nation erase the social imbalances of the past.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising the event, said: Education is the single most important factor in bringing stability, productivity and prosperity to all societies. Our goal in Bahrain in establishing the Education Project was to bring together an international community of educators. To have experts like Dr Blecher on board - to offer their expertise in identifying practical solutions to address the gap in the global education system - will help to ensure a platform from which to further inspire positive change.

Despite increased government spending, education outcomes worldwide have declined over time. The Education Project was established to share best practice and create a practical approach that educators can follow to make a difference. Hundreds of professionals from 36 countries joined together last year. Dr Blecher is among many who left equipped with the information and backing needed to make real changes, gaining support to secure a $150,000 grant to replicate the success of the Johannesburg project overseas; it is now serving as a model for tertiary education in the developing world.

The Education Project is free to attend for educational professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in education. Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register online visit: http://www.educationprojectbahrain.org

Notes to editors

Other speakers confirmed for the Education project 2010 include:

- Charles Leadbeater, advisor to the government of Shanghai, European Commission and 10 Downing St, UK - Cindy Johanson, executive director, George Lucas Educational Foundation, USA - Edward B Fiske, former education editor, New York Times, USA - HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates - Helen Ladd, Professor of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, USA - Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools, USA - David Hogan, Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, National Institute of Education, Singapore - Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder, KIPP - Mona Mourshed, Partner Middle East, McKinsey Company, United Arab Emirates - Patrick Griffin, Executive Director, Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills, AT21C University of Melbourne, Australia - Ralph Tabberer, Chief School Officer, GEMS, United Arab Emirates - Steven Joel Trachtenberg, former President of George Washington University and author of Big Man on Campus, USA - Tom Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA - Tony Wagner, Co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard Graduate School of Education

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit http://www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit http://www.bahrain.com

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Further information Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board Tel: +973-17-589-930 Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger Tel: +44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689 Email: kbergius@goodrelations.co.uk Doreen Bonnami, The Experience Tel: +1-212-794-8801 x1105 Email: Doreen.Bonnami@theexperiencecorp.com

SOURCE: The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

CONTACT: Further information: Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain EconomicDevelopment Board, Tel: +973-17-589-930, Email:internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com ; Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger, Tel:+44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689, Email:kbergius@goodrelations.co.uk ; Doreen Bonnami, The Experience, Tel:+1-212-794-8801 x1105, Email: Doreen.Bonnami@theexperiencecorp.com