In an era of rapid societal, technological, and cultural change, the call for education to cultivate not only knowledge but also lifelong competences has never been more urgent. Beyond the acquisition of academic content, today’s learners must develop the cognitive, emotional, and social capacities necessary to navigate uncertainty, collaborate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to an evolving world. 

This panel will critically discuss how essential competence, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving, can be intentionally and coherently embedded across the educational continuum. The discussion will consider how these competences can be cultivated not as isolated outcomes but as integral elements of curriculum design, pedagogy, and school culture, beginning in early childhood and evolving through adolescence and adulthood. 

Drawing on diverse philosophical, pedagogical, and practical perspectives, the session will interrogate how education systems can balance curricular demands with the holistic development of learners. It will also explore the teacher’s role as a designer of learning experiences that promote autonomy, reflection, and agency, and how assessment frameworks might better capture growth in these domains. 

Ultimately, the panel aims to reframe lifelong competences not as add-ons to an already crowded curriculum, but as the very foundation of meaningful education. Participants will be invited to reflect on how schools can become ecosystems that empower learners to keep learning, throughout life, and for life.