The 2nd Paris Conference on Education (PCE2023) and The 2nd Paris Conference on the Arts & Humanities (PCAH2023) were held between June 16-19 at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris. These concurrent conferences illuminated the intricate nexus between Education and Arts & Humanities, providing attendees a vibrant forum to delve into the pedagogical intricacies and the rich tapestry of human expression and understanding.
Reinforcing The International Academic Forum (IAFOR)'s commitment to the advancement of international, intercultural and interdisciplinary study, teaching and research, the iconic city brought together more than 400 delegates from 66 countries.
The start of the conference featured presentations from Donald Hall, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Binghamton University (SUNY), addressing the meaning of “New Normal” as we enter a post-pandemic society, and Bruce Brown, Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art in London, who facilitated a thought-provoking session on the intrinsic value of material things.
In the afternoon, a diverse hybrid panel consisting of Jeannie Cho Lee, wine judge, educator and consultant, Jasper Morris, Master of Wine, and Daisuke Utagawa, restaurateur, spoke on how food and wine serve as boundary-traversing languages, shaping our understanding of the world, with a focus on France's significant role in culinary diplomacy and how individuals engage around food.
The following two days were parallel presentation days held at the Maison de la Chimie, while the final day of the conference was held entirely online.
While formal presentations are the backbone of IAFOR conferences, the value of informal, yet intellectual, interaction among peers is not overlooked. This was exemplified by the conference dinner at Le Procope, known as the oldest brasserie in Paris. Adding to the conference experience, delegates were also taken on a guided tour of the Palais Garnier.
As we look towards future events, including a return to the iconic city of Paris, we are grateful to the speakers, participants, and Organising Committee for their commitment and contributions. For those who missed out, online catch-up options and high-quality recordings of plenary presentations will be available soon.
PCE2023 & PCAH2023 have once again underlined IAFOR's vision - a vision of academia's potential for positive change, and of its responsibility to promote and generate innovation, by connecting and educating. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
