This lecture explores the rise of the Global Education Reform Movement (GERM) and its influence on education policies worldwide. While many education systems have embraced standardization, test-based accountability, and market-driven reforms, Finland has taken a different path, largely resisting the core tenets of GERM since the 1990s. Drawing on Finnish experience and global research, this presentation examines why and how Finland has pursued alternative strategies for educational success, highlighting the values, policies, and practices that distinguish its approach. It also considers the emerging challenges facing Finnish education today and outlines strategies to sustain equity, trust, and student engagement in an increasingly complex and fragile world.