Finnish Experts Strengthen Global Education Development at UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
Matti Rossi
Matti Rossi, an expert in educational technology and teacher training, serves as an education specialist at UNICEF’s Learning Innovation Hub in Helsinki. He is with extensive experience in the Finnish education system and international education development across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Rossi has worked at Tallinn University on EU Horizon and Erasmus+ projects, developing STEAM methods and digital tools for teacher education, and has co-created blended learning models in collaboration with an EdTech startup. He has also served as a vice rector in Ethiopia and promoted education and ICT collaboration in Armenia, Kenya, and Nigeria, contributing to the UN’s Global Knowledge Index.
At UNICEF, Rossi advances digital learning and teacher competencies through initiatives such as the Learning Pioneers, the EdTech for Good framework, and the Superstar Teachers Toolbox for enhancing digital skills. He translates policy-level innovations into practical teaching, develops gender-sensitive digital literacy and AI education through playful methods, and supports teachers particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected contexts. Rossi also connects research and startups with international partners and fosters collaboration with Finnish education and EdTech ecosystem actors.
Paula Malan
Paula Malan works at the Secretariat of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in the Gender Equality and Inclusion Unit. She specializes in inclusive education and has held positions in the Finnish government and UN organizations. Malan has supported education sector programs and the development of inclusive education systems in various countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
GPE is the world’s largest fund dedicated to supporting education systems in developing countries. At GPE, Malan focuses particularly on promoting education for children with disabilities. Her work includes implementing GPE’s commitments following the Global Disability Summit, strengthening funding monitoring, disseminating data and research findings, and building the capacity of regional and national teams.
“The coming year is significant for GPE as we move toward a new strategy that further strengthens our work in promoting gender equality and inclusion,” Paula says.
“I hope my role provides an opportunity to share insights from the Finnish education system, where equality is a core principle and student well-being, learning support, and foundational learning are consistently prioritized,” she adds.
Expert Support enhances the use of Finnish education expertise in development cooperation
FinCEED’s expert support promotes education sector development through bilateral and multilateral actors. Support may involve short-term or long-term secondments to roles within the EU or other international organizations. In 2023–2024, FinCEED deployed 24 experts to assignments around the world, with 15 experts starting in EU-funded projects.
In short-term assignments, experts contribute to training and webinars, prepare reports and studies, and participate in planning and evaluating education sector development activities. Long-term assignments emphasize strategic planning, policy dialogue, and donor collaboration.
Thematic focus areas include curriculum planning, learning materials, inclusion, digitalization, teacher education, education in crisis contexts, and quality assurance.
Highlighting Finnish expertise internationally
Expert support increases Finland’s international visibility and strengthens its position as a global education expert. It opens opportunities for Finnish actors to participate in international networks and assignments, promotes education-related business and knowledge export, and supports the professional development of experts. At the same time, Finland actively contributes to solving the global learning crisis and advancing sustainable development goals through education.