CONTACT
Julia Fallon
Executive Director, SETDA
[email protected]

SETDA Designated as U.S. Focal Point
to UNESCO’s Global Digital Learning Initiative

July 17, 2025 (Washington, DC) – SETDA, the principal non-profit membership association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology and digital learning leaders, is honored to announce its designation as a U.S. focal point to UNESCO’s Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative (Gateways). This role, along with the U.S. Mission to UNESCO, reflects SETDA’s continued leadership in leveraging technology to modernize and advance effective education systems. 

The Gateways Initiative—jointly launched by UNESCO and UNICEF—aims to strengthen national public digital learning platforms through global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of international norms and standards. As part of this role, SETDA will contribute to a range of activities including multistakeholder dialogues, policy workshops, advocacy efforts, and strategic mapping of digital learning infrastructure worldwide.

SETDA will participate in Digital Learning Week 2025, held in early September at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This year’s convening, themed “AI and the Future of Education: Disruptions, Dilemmas, and Directions,” will bring together ministers, policymakers, researchers, and education leaders from across the globe to examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping education systems and learner experiences.

The United States has designated Ambassador Jean E. Manes, Acting U.S. Permanent Representative to UNESCO, and SETDA’s Executive Director, Julia Fallon, as the official country focal points to the initiative. Ji Soo Song, SETDA’s Director of Projects & Initiatives, will also support this work, ensuring that the voices and expertise of U.S. states and territories are actively represented in the global dialogue.

This opportunity reflects SETDA’s strategic mission to amplify the perspectives of state education agencies on the world stage and help shape a future of learning that is learner-centered and ethically grounded in technological innovation.

“Our students and educators deserve more than momentary attention—they deserve a system designed to meet the future,” said Julia Fallon. “SETDA will bring our states’ leadership to the global table, but this moment must serve as both a catalyst and a clear call to modernize public education to deliver on its promise in the digital age.”

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About SETDA

SETDA is the principal association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology and digital learning leaders. Through a broad array of programs and advocacy, SETDA builds member capacity and engages partners to empower the education community in leveraging technology for learning, teaching, and school operations.

For more information, please visit our website setda.org or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter/X.