The full programme for the 4th International Conference on Democratic Education, organised by the journal “Scuola Democratica” in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome and Il Mulino, is now online.

The event will take place from 1 to 4 September 2026 at Sapienza University of Rome, with scholars attending from Italy and numerous other countries. This conference is one of the leading international events dedicated to education, training, and democracy. It comprises over 250 academic sessions and more than 1,200 contributions.

Five symposia are dedicated to teachers and schools

particular attention will be paid to these, as they are designed to provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and exchange of views on the main challenges facing contemporary education systems.

The symposia are organised with the support of leading national and international institutions, including:

• ANP – National Association of Headteachers
• Be For Education Foundation
• The Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation for Schools
• INDIRE
• INVALSI
• Bank of Italy

All sessions will be held in Italian and attendance is free of charge, subject to registration.

The focus will be on the INVALSI and Bank of Italy symposium.

Of the events on the programme, we would particularly like to highlight the symposium organised by INVALSI and the Bank of Italy, entitled: INVALSI e Banca d’Italia dal titolo:

Gender Stereotypes and the Development of Competencies / Gli stereotipi di genere e lo sviluppo delle competenze

📅 1 September 2026
🕑 2:00 pm – 3:45 pm

This event will explore gender stereotypes and their impact on educational pathways and the development of competencies, with contributions from experts from the two organising bodies.

Further information on the symposium can be found here:
https://www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/symposium-learning-for-democracy-democracy-for-learning-gender-stereotypes-and-the-development-of-competencies-invalsi-and-banca-ditalia/

Training certification and special events

Teachers who attend at least three of the five symposia will receive an official training certificate issued by Sapienza University of Rome.

Registration will also allow participants to take part in six special events dedicated to topical educational issues, organised in collaboration with leading national and international organisations.

On the evening of 1 September, there will be a social and cultural gathering starting at 7.00 pm at the Piazzale della Minerva on Sapienza’s main campus. This event is designed to provide an opportunity for participants, speakers and guests to meet and exchange ideas.

Further useful information can be found below:

Symposium programme:

https://www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/symposia-3

Registration for the symposia:

https://forms.gle/KUCWA16LPBhGtc4r9

Conference venue:

Sapienza Università di Roma
Facoltà di Scienze Politiche, Sociologia e Comunicazione
Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5 – Roma

We look forward to welcoming you to this important opportunity for dialogue, discussion and in-depth exploration of the themes of education and democracy.