UNESCO’s function as an international laboratory of ideas is to guide the global debate on education. As the rapid and interdependent changes of the 21^st century place new challenges on education and training systems worldwide, educational policy-makers need to be more forward-looking in identifying and understanding the implications of emerging trends for the future of education. Evidence-based policy dialogue and forward-looking research are essential to strengthening our collective capacity to grapple with broader societal issues in a changing global environment. As we strengthen our collective efforts to reach internationally-agreed upon education and development goals, we must also look ahead and chart new paradigms to help guide the global education agenda beyond 2015.