On the eve of the Global Teacher Prize ceremony, the Varkey Foundation will hold ‘The Assembly: A Global Teacher Prize Concert’ as a joyful ‘thank you’ to teachers all around the world for the unsung work they do every day.

On Saturday 23^rd March ten thousand people are expected to join Little Mix, who are headlining the event, together with Rita Ora and Liam Payne, at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre in paying tribute to one of the world’s most important professions.

The festival-style concert, hosted by Virgin Radio’s Kris Fade and featuring a supporting set by DJ Jacques Lavoisier, will see the stars performing many of their greatest hits. Virgin Radio Dubai 104.4 and Time Out Dubai are media partners for the event.

The musicians will also be joined on stage by the Top 10 Finalists of the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, where the spotlight will turn to the teachers, whose inspirational stories will be shared with a live audience.

The US$1 million Global Teacher Prize, to be announced at a ceremony the following evening (the 24^th March), was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of teachers all over the world.

The inaugural Global Teacher Prize Concert will help spread this vital message about the importance of teachers to the next generation, raising their consciousness through the power of music.  Its aim is to help make teacher respect a subject that’s discussed not just in academic seminars but on instagram; not just in the corridors of power but in the school corridor on the way to class.

Andria Zafirakou, winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2018, said:

“Winning last year’s Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize has been incredible in giving me a platform to celebrate and help shine a light on the importance of my profession.  As an arts teacher, I know just how crucial it is to come up with creative ways to communicate vital messages to our young people.

“It is, after all, young people who will inherit our amazing world; its fantastic opportunities, and also its considerable challenges, from tackling climate change to preparing for a world of artificial intelligence. And that’s why we have to show the next generation the importance of their teachers in equipping them to thrive in this new world, and also inspire those with a calling to go into teaching themselves.

“The Assembly – A Global Teacher Prize Concert’ will inspire young people to come together to thank some of the world’s greatest unsung heroes through the power of song.”

Date: Saturday 23 March 2019

Venue: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

Time: Doors open from 5pm

Tickets: Prices start at AED 350 and are available from 800Tickets or platinumlist.net