PMI and Cannes Lions Launch Global Educators Forum to Bridge Classroom and Creative Industry Gap

The classroom is about to get a direct line to the creative boardroom.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has teamed up with Cannes Lions to launch the LIONS Educators Forum, a global initiative aimed at closing the gap between what students learn in school and the skills the creative economy actually needs.

The Forum is a direct response to the rapid changes brought by AI and technology, which have made creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability essential across every profession. The idea is simple: get educators and industry leaders in the same room — virtually and physically — to rethink how students are prepared for the future of work.

The Forum will be chaired by Vann Graves, Executive Director of VCU Brandcenter, a graduate advertising school in the US. It will be guided by a leadership team from Cannes Lions.

The programme has three main parts. First, two virtual roundtables each year — one in Spring and one in Autumn — where educators and industry leaders will tackle key challenges and opportunities. Second, an in-person forum during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from 22 to 26 June 2026, hosted at the PMI Cabana. Third, a year-round online network where educators and professionals can share resources and collaborate.

Steve Latham, Global Head of Strategic Learning Initiatives at Cannes Lions, said the initiative is about closing the gap between education and industry. "Creativity is now one of the most important skills in the global economy, yet the connection between education and industry has never been more critical," he said. "The LIONS Educators Forum is designed to close that gap by creating a space where educators and industry leaders can collaborate, share insights, and shape the future together."

PMI is the Founding Partner of the Forum. The organisation brings a focus on project management skills — the ability to turn ideas into outcomes, manage complexity, and lead teams. As technology accelerates change, these skills are becoming as important as creativity itself.

Menaka Gopinath, Chief Marketing Officer at PMI, said the future of work will reward people who can do more than just come up with ideas. "We need to equip students and the educators who guide them with the skills to bring people together, make sense of complexity, and turn creative ambition into real-world impact," she said. "Through the LIONS Educators Forum, PMI is proud to help prepare the next generation with the capabilities to not only imagine what is possible, but to make it happen."

PMI already works with thousands of academic institutions worldwide, providing tools and certifications that align with industry needs. The LIONS Educators Forum is part of Cannes Lions' larger push to support lifelong learning and creative excellence across the global marketing and communications industry.

For Ghanaian students and educators, the Forum could open doors to global best practices and connections. The country's growing creative sector — from advertising to film and music — could benefit from a curriculum that blends creativity with project management skills. But the real question is whether local institutions will plug into this global network.

Educators from anywhere in the world can join the Forum's network. The first virtual roundtable is expected in Spring 2027, with the in-person event at Cannes Lions in June 2026 already on the calendar.