As the world grapples with overlapping crises, from climate change to growing educational disparities, Liberia is poised to contribute a compelling diplomatic voice to a rising global movement: education diplomacy.
Professor Dr. Thomas Kaydor, Jr., Consul General of the Republic of Liberia near New York has been officially invited to speak at the 9th NYC Green School Conference, taking place September 23–24, 2025, at the ILR School, Cornell University Conference Center in New York City.
The event is a signature part of Climate Week NYC, held in parallel with the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The conference will bring together education leaders, climate policymakers, diplomats, and innovators from more than 40 countries, with the shared mission of transforming schools and universities into hubs of sustainability, resilience, and global citizenship.
Education as a Tool for Diplomacy and Development
The panel, on which Dr. Kaydor will speak-“The Power of Education Diplomacy”, centers on a timely and increasingly influential concept in international relations.
Education diplomacy leverages education as a strategic instrument of foreign policy, promoting peace, advancing global cooperation, and fostering sustainable development through policy alignment, academic exchange, and cross-cultural collaboration.
“As global challenges grow more interconnected, education must become a pillar of diplomacy,” said one of the conference organizers. “Who better to speak on this than diplomats who understand both the constraints of development and the power of education?”
Liberia’s Voice at a Global Crossroads
Dr. Kaydor’s invitation is especially significant as Liberia continues its post-conflict development, with a growing emphasis on integrating climate resilience and innovation into its national education agenda.
His role on the panel highlights Liberia’s intention to engage not only as a recipient of global aid, but as a contributor to international solutions.
“Education is Liberia’s bridge to a more sustainable and inclusive future,” said a spokesperson from the Consulate. “Through education diplomacy, we’re not just advocating for national progress, but helping shape the global education landscape.”
A High-Level Platform Backed by Global Institutions
The 2025 NYC Green School Conference is hosted in collaboration with a consortium of prominent global partners, including:
UNESCO-IESALC
UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN)
Columbia University Climate School
University of Colorado Boulder
Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet
SDG Academy
Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) of UN DESA
Keynote speakers include:
Andrew Mayock, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder and former Federal Chief Sustainability Officer under the Biden Administration
Satya Tripathi, Secretary General of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet and former UN Assistant Secretary-General
The conference theme, Pupils, Planet, Progress, Partnerships, and Prosperity, reflects a shared vision for transforming education systems to be climate-aware, inclusive, and globally interconnected.
Diplomacy Rooted in Classrooms and Communities
Dr. Kaydor’s panel will examine how education diplomacy can become a catalyst for transformation, particularly in nations most affected by climate change and socio-economic instability.
The discussion will address key questions such as:
How can education drive stronger international cooperation in climate and development?
What policies are needed to integrate climate action into global curricula?
How can education systems empower youth to become global citizens and future leaders?
For Liberia, these questions are urgent and immediate. But through platforms like this, the country also gains opportunities to share its experiences, strategies, and aspirations on the world stage.
A New Era of Global Engagement
“Diplomacy is no longer confined to embassies,” noted a conference organizer. “It’s happening in classrooms, labs, and community spaces across the globe. Liberia’s participation helps underscore that reality.”
By taking part in this high-level forum, Liberia signals its commitment to education as a tool of global cooperation, an essential pathway toward a more sustainable, equitable future.
As the world seeks common solutions to its greatest challenges, leaders like Professor Dr. Thomas Kaydor, Jr. remind us that the most powerful form of diplomacy may very well begin with a lesson plan.
