Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work is a 160-page book, based on 15 case studies and personal stories emerging from forward-thinking educational projects around the world that were identified through the Wise community, including winners of the Wise Awards which showcase and promote educational projects that have a transformative effect upon society.
The book focuses on a critical issue: the failure of education systems to equip students adequately for today’s labour market, and consequently to become productive members of their societies. 
With the number of college graduates rising, unemployment rates among under-25-year-olds have reached virtually unprecedented levels around the world. This illustrates the disconnect between education and employment, and reinforces the need to find new ways to bridge the skills gap.
Through statistics, interviews, case studies and photographs, the latest Wise Book highlights the need for innovation in preparing students for work and life in the 21st century. 
Learning a Living argues that change is necessary in both education systems and the workplace, but the implications go further and readers are drawn to a suitably important conclusion: Making it easier to acquire skills is no longer enough; today’s students must also acquire entrepreneurial values in order to create the opportunities that will make a real difference for themselves and society.
The book covers a diverse range of projects, including the network of schools created by the NGO BRAC, whose founder and chairman, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, was the first Wise Prize for Education Laureate in 2011.
It also includes several Wise Awards winning projects, such as Widows Alliance Network for Sustainable Economic Development in Ghana; The Smallholder Farmers Rural Radio in Nigeria; and Al Jisr School-Business Partnerships in Morocco.
The authors are a team of innovation specialists: Valerie Hannon, Sarah Gillinson and Leone Shanks. Wise also commissioned photographer Reza Deghati to create vivid images that bring the case studies to life.
“Wise is committed to showcasing new approaches to educational challenges and promoting practical solutions, and this book adds to our track record,” said  Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali al-Thani, chairman of Wise, Qatar Foundation.
“The latest Wise Book explores one of the most important challenges of our times - the gap between the worlds of work and education,” said Valerie Hannon, Board Director of the Innovation Unit (London).
“Yet, in the face of this challenge, the Wise Book instils optimism - because these are truly brilliant educational initiatives which we hope will be replicated elsewhere. The people behind the selected projects are inspiring models of human creativity and of how innovative thinking can respond to current challenges.”
“The time we spent on the ground learning about these projects made me realise the importance of the Wise Book - its global vision and potential impact,” said Reza, photojournalist for National Geographic since 1991 and founder of Webistan Photo Agency.
The first Wise Book, Innovation in Education: Lessons from Pioneers Around the World, was launched at Wise 2011. It examined 16 pioneering projects that have succeeded in transforming people’s lives through education, and it looks at some of the common features of innovation, how innovation happens, and when and how to scale up.
Next summit in Oct 2013
The fifth edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (Wise) will be held from October 29 to 31 next year, Wise chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali al-Thani announced at the closing session of the Wise Summit 2012 yesterday. HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation was present on the occasion. Dr Madhav Chavan, Wise Prize laureate 2012 also spoke