Unlocking Human Capital as
the Engine for Growth in Suriname
One Event. Two Phases.
One Event. Two Phases.
A National Forum on
Human Capital,
Skills, and
Suriname’s Long-Term
Transformation
Suriname is at a defining moment for transformation. The country has a unique, time-bound opportunity to make choices today that will shape prosperity, inclusion, and resilience for decades to come. The central question is about where Suriname chooses to invest in to secure long-term growth for future generations. In a rapidly changing global context, long-term prosperity will depend less on finite assets and more on the skills, adaptability, and potential of people.
This conference, convened under her leadership, will contribute to shaping Suriname’s long-term vision for social and economic development.
Bringing together national authorities, global experts, private sector leaders, educators, youth, and development partners, the Forum will focus on positioning human capital — built through education, skills development, and lifelong learning — at the center of Suriname’s next growth model.
The Forum will be held on 8–9 April 2026 in Paramaribo, Suriname.
This two-phase national event aims to articulate a long-term national development vision for Suriname that will: (i) lay the foundations for a shared national roadmap on education and skills aligned with Suriname’s development strategy: and (ii) position human capital accumulation (education, skills development, and lifelong learning) as the central engine of economic diversification and social mobility. Phase 1 takes a tour on international experiences and Phase 2 looks inwards. These two phases will stablish a shared vision and a concrete roadmap for education and skills development as the central engine of Suriname’s development.
OVERVIEW
PHASE 1 · APRIL 8-9, 2026
Global inspiration & Strategic Dialogue
World-class global experts will come to Suriname to share insights and lessons drawn from international experience in education, skills, and human capital development. This phase draws on international evidence to inspire Suriname’s own roadmap and strategic vision – fueling the momentum behind a transformation already underway. This event will feature the experiences of countries that have walked similar paths, highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and what is possible.
Day 1
Building What Cannot Run Out: How to Make Talent the Engine of Growth in Suriname
This day focuses on the most fundamental question facing Suriname: what will drive growth in the years ahead? National leaders and global experts will examine how countries have used moments of transition to shift toward people-centered growth—where education and skills, rather than economic sectors alone, define productivity, inclusion, and competitiveness.
By moving from vision-setting to global lessons and policy dialogue, the day aims to build a shared understanding of Suriname’s development opportunity and generate the political momentum needed to support long-term growth.
Day 2
The Shift: Placing Talent at the Center of Suriname’s Long-Term Future
The second day moves from vision to reality. The focus is on what must change within education and training systems to translate into opportunity, productivity, and social mobility. Drawing on policy experience and feedback from teachers and communities, discussions will explore how to design reforms that expand access, improve relevance, and deliver learning that matters in practice.
Through expert panels and engagement with the education community, participants will identify practical, evidence-based interventions to strengthen system performance and better align education systems with national economic priorities.
PHASE 2 · END OF MAY 2026
National Vision and Roadmap
A nationally led strategic forum that combines international experiences from Phase 1, national expertise, and local feedback from national stakeholders to create a ten-year national vision for human capital development, backed by a five-year action plan that will provide a roadmap for implementation.
*Full details to be announced. Phase 2 programming and logistics will be shared ahead of the next stage. Stay tuned for updates.
This high-level forum brings together national leadership, policymakers, educators, youth, and global partners to examine how human capital, built through education, skills development, and lifelong learning, can become the engine of Suriname’s next growth model and a driver of lasting transformation.
- National Leadership
- Policymakers and Global Leaders
- International Organizations
- Non Profit and Social Institutions
- Think Tanks, Academic Institutions and Research Centers
- Corporates, Investors and Entrepreneurs
- Educators
- Youth
PHASE 1 · APRIL 8-9, 2026
SPEAKERS
AND AGENDA
Interested in participating?
PHASE 2 · MAY 2026
National Vision & Strategic Roadmap
Full details to be announced.
Phase 2 programming and logistics will be shared ahead of the event.
Stay tuned for updates.
This is a joint event organized by the Goverment of Suriname and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Suriname is at a defining moment for transformation. The country has a unique, time-bound opportunity to make choices today that will shape prosperity, inclusion, and resilience for decades to come. The central question is about where Suriname chooses to invest in to secure long-term growth for future generations. In a rapidly changing global context, long-term prosperity will depend less on finite assets and more on the skills, adaptability, and potential of people.
This two-phase national event aims to articulate a long-term national development vision for Suriname that will: (i) lay the foundations for a shared national roadmap on education and skills aligned with Suriname’s development strategy: and (ii) position human capital accumulation (education, skills development, and lifelong learning) as the central engine of economic diversification and social mobility. Phase 1 takes a tour on international experiences and Phase 2 looks inwards. These two phases will establish a shared vision and a concrete roadmap for education and skills development as the central engine of Suriname’s development.
Overview
PHASE 1 · APRIL 8-9, 2026
Global inspiration & Strategic Dialogue
World-class global experts will come to Suriname to share insights and lessons drawn from international experience in education, skills, and human capital development. This phase draws on international evidence to inspire Suriname’s own roadmap and strategic vision – fueling the momentum behind a transformation already underway. This event will feature the experiences of countries that have walked similar paths, highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and what is possible.
Day 1
Building What Cannot Run Out: How to Make Talent the Engine of Growth in Suriname
This day focuses on the most fundamental question facing Suriname: what will drive growth in the years ahead? National leaders and global experts will examine how countries have used moments of transition to shift toward people-centered growth—where education and skills, rather than economic sectors alone, define productivity, inclusion, and competitiveness.
By moving from vision-setting to global lessons and policy dialogue, the day aims to build a shared understanding of Suriname’s development opportunity and generate the political momentum needed to support long-term growth.
Day 2
The Shift: Placing Talent at the Center of Suriname’s Long-Term Future
The second focus is on what must change within education and training systems to translate into opportunity, productivity, and social mobility. Drawing on policy experience and feedback from teachers and communities, discussions will explore how to design reforms that expand access, improve relevance, and deliver learning that matters in practice.
Through expert panels and engagement with the education community, participants will identify practical, evidence-based interventions to strengthen system performance and better align education systems with national economic priorities.
PHASE 2 · END OF MAY 2026
National vision & Strategic Roadmap
A nationally led strategic forum that combines international experiences from Phase 1, national expertise, and local feedback from national stakeholders to create a ten-year national vision for human capital development, backed by a five-year action plan that will provide a roadmap for implementation.
*Full details to be announced. Phase 2 programming and logistics will be shared ahead of the next stage. Stay tuned for updates.
WHO
WILL ATTEND?
PHASE 1 · APRIL 8-9, 2026
- National Leadership
- Policymakers and Global Leaders
- International Organizations
- Non Profit and Social Institutions
- Think Tanks, Academic Institutions and Research Centers
- Corporates, Investors and Entrepreneurs
- Educators
- Youth
SPEAKERS
AND AGENDA
Interested in participating?
PHASE 2 · MAY 2026
National Vision & Strategic Roadmap
Full details to be announced.
Phase 2 programming and logistics will be shared ahead of the event.
Stay tuned for updates
This is a joint event organized by the Goverment of Suriname
and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).