In January 2012, the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world will once again takes place in the U.K. at the Education World Forum (EWF), an internationally recognized ministerial forum for the debate of future practices in education. The forum brings together delegates from more than 60 countries to share ideas, form collaborative links, and discuss education policy. The 2012 event will examine some of the most rapid of improvements taking place in particular cities, states, and regions within countries, enabling ministers to benchmark and share the most effective education policies and strategies. The EWF is made possible by the generosity industry partners including Cisco, Encyclopaedia Britannica, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Pearson, Promethean, and the University of Cambridge International Examinations.