2026 GCEN Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal

About

The 2026 annual convening of Digital Promise’s Global Cities Education Network (GCEN) will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from November 16 -19, 2026. Each year, GCEN seeks to share promising practices to develop responses to systemic education problems, ultimately improving education for all. Themes relevant to current educational challenges are explored throughout the dynamic, four-day learning experience via a combination of school site visits, collaborative exchanges with participants, and presentations from experts.

2026 Themes

The 2026 symposium in Lisbon will focus on the themes of inclusive education, edtech pedagogy and practice, and workforce readiness.

• Inclusive Education: The Ministry of Education is working to address what they call, one of the major challenges in education,, by building a nationwide system of inclusive education. In 2018, a law on inclusive education was passed and a framework developed (considered one of the best in the world), that they have continued to implement for all students, including newcomer students, despite COVID and changes in political parties. Mental health and wellbeing are critical to this initiative and will be examined as well.
• Edtech: Portugal was one of the first countries in the world to launch a one-to-one laptop program, which has persisted despite changes in political parties. Online textbooks and assessment systems are being launched throughout the country in tandem with innovative external models like the Tumo School.
• Workforce Development: Around the world, countries are facing acute needs to develop a workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a time of AI and increasing automation. GCEN participants will together explore the latest strategies and ideas to develop the training and pathways needed for systems to address this need.  

The symposium allows education system leaders, policymakers, researchers, and other delegates from around the world to gather in person to discuss shared challenges and learn new strategies from each other as well as from the host institution. Through facilitated, interactive sessions and site visits, the host country showcases their education system’s innovative approaches, best practices, and strategies with GCEN’s global participants. A benefit to both the hosts and the participants is the ability to exchange ideas, share timely tactics to address common challenges, and build their professional networks.

By attending the GCEN symposium, participants will:

• Learn new strategies from international colleagues and experts to address common system-level educational challenges.
• Share their jurisdiction’s progress and successes on a global stage.
• Step outside of their systems, with their leadership teams, to reflect in a supportive environment that also allows members to challenge each other.
• Extend their professional network and engage with educational leaders and experts from across the world.

Cost

Your four-day educational study tour in Lisbon will include programming, transportation to local site visits and events, and daily lunch for $1,750 per person (special early bird pricing of $1,250 until April 1). In addition, each participant is responsible for paying for their own travel and accommodations. Digital Promise will share room block information once available.

Application Criteria

There is no application for this opportunity. If interested in participating, contact Heather Singmaster, Director of GCEN at Digital Promise: hsingmaster@digitalpromise.org.

GCEN delegates are high-level decision makers who support and advance education transformation in their jurisdiction, system, or organization. Previous GCEN participants have included district-level directors, superintendents, and senior leaders. Beyond districts, GCEN attendees include policymakers, content experts, researchers, key community members from outside of the formal education system, and practitioner-leaders.

In addition to GCEN members, district and school leaders from Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools are encouraged to participate as are teams and individuals from outside of the League and GCEN. CoSN is also partnering with Digital Promise on the 2026 symposium. 

Application Instructions

There is no application for this opportunity. If interested in participating, please fill out the interest form or contact Heather Singmaster, Director of GCEN at Digital Promise: hsingmaster@digitalpromise.org

Contact

Heather Singmaster