In a world still struggling with deep educational inequalities, Dr. Fred Mednick stands as one of the most steadfast voices affirming that teachers are the foundation of human progress. A former high-school principal turned global visionary, Dr. Mednick founded Teachers Without Borders (TWB) in 2000 with a simple but radical conviction that teachers, when connected to knowledge and to one another, can change the world.
A Vision to Close the Education Divide
What began as a small network has, over 25 years, grown into a global teacher professional development movement spanning more than 177 countries. Teachers Without Borders connects educators across geographies and disciplines, providing open access to courses, communities, and leadership opportunities in girls’ education, education in emergencies, and peace and human rights education.
Every TWB initiative is conceived and led by teachers themselves, those living and working on the frontlines of education in developing regions. This teacher-centered philosophy remains the heartbeat of Dr. Mednick’s work: education not as charity, but as solidarity.
Education as Peacebuilding
Dr. Mednick’s approach reframes education as a peacebuilding tool, an essential response to humanity’s greatest challenges: climate change, conflict, poverty, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. Through Teachers Without Borders, he has created platforms where teachers from regions in crisis can access training, share experience, and find strength in global community.
TWB’s Peace Education Program has earned international recognition, including the 2018 Luxembourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Education and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize, for advancing dialogue, inclusion, and hope through education.
Recognitions and Partnerships
Under his leadership, TWB has been recognized by the White House, the Desmond Tutu Foundation, and the Peace Corps, and has received the Champion of African Education Award for its innovative use of radio and local partnerships to promote the UN Millennium Development Goals. Notably, Dr. Jane Goodall serves as the organization’s International Spokesperson, reflecting the shared belief that education and empathy are intertwined in building a sustainable world.
Academic Legacy and Lifelong Impact
Beyond TWB, Dr. Mednick is Professor Emeritus in Education Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he has taught comparative education, leadership, and curriculum design, and co-led educational reform projects in Suriname. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education, developing global courses on Educating Girls, Education in Emergencies, and Global Urban Education.
His pioneering doctoral research at Seattle University (1999), the first dissertation to use internet-based research, supported by UNESCO and the World Bank explored what it means to be “an educated teenager for the 21st century.” That inquiry became the seed from which Teachers Without Borders was born.
Legacy of Connection and Hope
Today, Dr. Mednick continues to inspire educators worldwide with the belief that teachers are not only conveyors of knowledge, but custodians of humanity’s future. Through his lifelong dedication, he reminds us that when teachers are empowered, children are protected, communities are strengthened, and nations find their path toward peace.
