UK & Ireland Education Experts to Address Global Summit

Leading Educators to Take Stage at Education Project, Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain, July 21, 2010 - Some of the UK and Ireland's leading education experts are
among an elite list set to address a global education summit in Bahrain this
October, it was announced today.

Charles Leadbetter, an advisor to 10 Downing Street and the
European Commission; Ewan McIntosh, National Advisor for Learning and
Teaching Scotland; and Seamus Hegarty, Chair of the International Association
of Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), will join peers from Columbia
University, Boston College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education at
the Education Project 2010.

The second occasion of the annual event - initiated by His
Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of
Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB) - runs
from 8-10 October. Other speakers from the UK and Ireland include Roberta
Linehan, Headmistress of Unicorn School; and Marie Parker-Jenkins, Professor
of the Department of Education at the University of Limerick.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the
EDB which is organising the event, added: "Education is the single most
important factor in bringing stability, productivity and prosperity to all
societies. Our goal in Bahrain in establishing the Education Project was to
bring together an international community of educators. To have experts from
the UK and Ireland on board - to offer their expertise in identifying
practical solutions to address the gap in the global education system - will
help to ensure a platform from which to further inspire positive change."

Despite increased government spending, education outcomes
worldwide have declined over time. The Education project was established to
share best practice and create a practical approach that educators can follow
to make a difference. Hundreds of professionals from 36 countries joined
together at the Education project 2009. In October, leading figures from
academia, business and politics will again take the stage; Leadbetter,
McIntosh, Hegarty, Linehan and Parker-Jenkins will offer valuable insight.

Leadbetter is an advisor to the Department for Education's
Innovation Unit on future strategies for more networked and personalised
approaches to learning and education. McIntosh, one of Europe's foremost
experts in digital media for education, has also consulted on successful
education and technology policies for Governments worldwide; he has led
investments in start-ups and education projects of nearly $5m on behalf of
public and private investors.

Hegarty holds visiting professorships at four universities,
served as Director of the National Foundation for Educational Research in
England and Wales for twelve years and chairs the Education for All working
group within the UNESCO UK National Commission. He serves on the National
Council for Special Education in Ireland and has advised UNESCO and other
international bodies on issues relating to assessment and special needs for
over 20 years.

The Education Project is free to attend for educational
professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector
institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in
education. Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register
online visit: www.educationprojectbahrain.org

Notes to editors

Other speakers confirmed for the Education project 2010 include:

    - Charles Leadbeater, advisor to the government of Shanghai,
      European Commission and 10 Downing St, UK
    - Cindy Johanson, executive director, George Lucas Educational
      Foundation, USA
    - Edward B Fiske, former education editor, New York Times, USA
    - HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher
      Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates
    - Helen Ladd, Professor of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School of
      Public Policy, USA
    - Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public
      Schools, USA
    - David Hogan, Centre for Research in Pedagogy and
      Practice, National Institute of Education, Singapore
    - Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder, KIPP
    - Mona Mourshed, Partner Middle East, McKinsey & Company, United
      Arab Emirates
    - Patrick Griffin, Executive Director, Assessment and Teaching of
      21st Century Skills, AT21C & University of Melbourne, Australia
    - Ralph Tabberer, Chief School Officer, GEMS, United Arab Emirates
    - Steven Joel Trachtenberg, former President of George Washington
      University and author of Big Man on Campus, USA
    - Tom Payzant, Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of
      Education, USA
    - Tony Wagner, Co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard
      Graduate School of Education

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic
public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing
the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right
climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by
uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to
develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a
facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt
the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides
sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are
implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into
Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom
offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream
industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and
training.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit
www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit
www.bahrain.com

About The Experience

The Experience by Richard Attias is a strategic experiential
communications firm and event management company founded by Richard Attias,
the man behind the production of the Davos Forum for over 13 years and the
creator and producer of the Nobel Laureates Conference, the Monaco Media
Forum, the Global Clinton Initiative and, most recently, the New York Forum,
which fosters economic discussion among top business leaders and investors.
The Experience by Richard Attias has offices in NY, Paris, Dubai, Jeddah and
coming soon to China.

    Further information

    Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board
    Tel: +973-17-589-930
    Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger
    Tel: +44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689
    Email: kbergius@goodrelations.co.uk

    Doreen Bonnami, The Experience
    Tel: +1-212-794-8801 x1105
    Email: Doreen.Bonnami@theexperiencecorp.com

Further information - Jenan Al Maskati, Bahrain Economic Development Board, Tel: +973-17-589-930, Email: internationalmedia at bahrainedb.com ; Katie Bergius, Bell Pottinger, Tel: +44(0)207-861-3105 / +44(0)7979-701-689, Email: kbergius at goodrelations.co.uk ; Doreen Bonnami, The Experience, Tel: +1-212-794-8801 x1105, Email: Doreen.Bonnami at theexperiencecorp.com