Curiosity leads
Learning grows from intrinsic motivation, questions, and meaningful choices.
International Democratic Education Conference
Education for action & liberation
A live, global gathering where young people and adults learn, question, decide, and build together.
Save the date11–13 September 2026
Three days of workshops, open space, conversations, and community—online and across borders.
● Live onlineWhat we believe
Democracy is something we practice.
Democratic education gives learners real voice and agency—not as preparation for later, but as a way of living and learning now.
Power is shared
Young people participate in decisions that shape their communities.
Trust is foundational
Respect and responsibility flourish when people are genuinely trusted.
Education is lived
Democracy is a daily relationship, not merely a subject to study.
A different kind of conference
Not a passive audience. A community in motion.
Workshops and conversations
Practical sessions where knowledge moves in every direction.
Open and spontaneous spaces
Room for participants to bring what matters now.
Community decision-making
Conference structures that embody democratic practice.
Stories and reflection
Time to listen across cultures, generations, and experience.
The program
Make your own path.
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perjantai, 11 syyskuun
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Opening & Welcome – welcome from AERO & the IDEC community, logistics, etc.
Opening, connections & logistics
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Leadership for Educational Liberation: Bridging Peace Practices with Youth
In 2023, two nonprofit organizations based in New Jersey implemented the second iteration of the “Leadership for Educational Liberation,” a paid virtual program with…
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The Science of Learning for Educators
The Science of Learning Academy was founded in 2025 by the presenter to promote evidence-based education and teaching methods around the world. As more…
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Meet the community
Many voices. Shared purpose.
Educators, young people, organizers, researchers, families, and movement-builders from around the world.
6 speakers
Amira Kessem
I'm an alumna of Hadera Democratic School in Israel, which I attended from age 4 to age 18. I currently live in upstate New York.
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Bhubaneswar, India
Amukta Mahapatra
Founder-Director · SchoolScape
Amukta is the Founder-Director at SchoolScape, a center for educators. She organizes online courses for teachers, parents, and school heads on Montessori pedagogy and democratic culture. In 2004,…
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Angela Pi & Joann Shen
Angela - I’m an education researcher and facilitator based in Taiwan, working at the intersection of learning ecosystems, policy-to-practice translation, and coalition convening. I currently contribute to research…
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Carmela Wong
A.E from Hong Kong. Worked in a local democratic primary school as coordinator and administrator. Currently exploring about self and what is needed for an A.E. school to…
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Charlie Moreno-Romero
Pedagogue, anthropologist and researcher. Interested in democratic education, SDT, SDL, Circle practice, educational commoning.
View profileChristopher Sarkonak
Christopher is currently a high school physics teacher with 17 years of experience in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada and is working towards his Ph.D. in Education. He was the…
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