Conference Reports and Intelligence Briefings (ISSN: 2759-4939)

IAFOR produces conference reports that provide concise and coherent overviews of the ideas, conversations and areas of research present. These include key themes and takeaways, referencing programme(s), speakers and attendees, which are curated and archived for both those who attended the event, as well as those who did not, to stay abreast of many of the developments and insights provided by the conference, and the collective intelligence of its participants. The reports are not meant to be, and indeed cannot be exhaustive, and yet they aim to make a significant intellectual contribution drawn from the unique collaborative and contrastive space of IAFOR events.

Links to video recordings of the presentations and interviews references are included where possible, encouraging readers to engage further with the conference material and presentations.
Each report contains photos of the event, as well as key statistics pertaining to general attendance and demographics.


Subscribe

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest Conference Reports & Intelligence Briefings directly to your inbox and stay informed about the latest academic and professional developments from our conferences.

* indicates required


2024

  • SEACE2024
    SEACE2024
    February 15-19 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • ACEID/ACP/AGen2024
    ACEID/ACP/AGen2024
    March 25-29 | Tokyo, Japan
  • ACAH/ACCS/ACSS2024
    ACAH/ACCS/ACSS2024
    May 23-27 | Tokyo, Japan
  • PCE/PCAH2024
    PCE/PCAH2024
    June 13-17 | Paris, France
  • ECE/ECLL/ECAH/EGen2024
    ECE/ECLL/ECAH/EGen2024
    July 11-15 | London, UK
  • KAMC/MediAsia2024
    KAMC/MediAsia2024
    October 15-19, 2024 | Kyoto, Japan

SEACE2024
February 15-19 | Chiang Mai, Thailand

View the Report Online

Download the Report (PDF)


Overview

The 4th Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE2024) held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, focused its discussions around how to achieve a peaceful and harmonious coexistence within a society that is becoming increasingly diverse and polarised. While there are many facets to this global issue, one case where we can observe the recent rise in violence, marginalisation, and exclusion is an arena that may very well become this issue's remedy - Education.

From hidden school violence to cultural bias, structural and political exclusion, and vulnerability in the face of natural disasters, all keynote speakers and panel presenters highlighted how these issues can be attributed to educational deficiencies—whether agency-wise, structural, cultural, or political in nature—but at the same time, how education itself can change human behaviour and agency, increase resilience, enhance social cohesion, reduce political polarisation, foster sustainability, and abolish cultural bias.


Associated Conferences

The 4th Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE2024)

ACEID/ACP/AGen2024
March 25-29 | Tokyo, Japan

View the Report Online

Download the PDF Report


Overview

The central theme connecting the three conference programmes focused on communication and education for peace. Under the rubric of peace, dialogue, and the role of education, keynote speakers and panellists addressed issues on the generation of fear, threat, and violence; the interaction with the ‘other’ through psychological concepts and the physical threat present within international relations; the idea of saving others through Official Development Assistance (ODA); the importance of perception of the older or generational ‘other’ and the debate on ethics and care as we transition to an AI-dominated world.


Associated Conferences

The 10th Asian Conference on Education & International Development (ACEID2024)
The 14th Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP2024)
The 10th Asian Conference on Aging & Gerontology (AGen2024)

ACAH/ACCS/ACSS2024
May 23-27 | Tokyo, Japan

View the Report Online

Download the PDF Report


Overview

In the wake of a global pandemic that exacerbated existing crises, societies are becoming increasingly polarised. Developed countries face rising living costs, developing countries struggle with climate change, and conflicts plague all continents, undermining social cohesion and democratic dialogue. Decision-makers often focus on reactive measures such as sanctions and social safety nets without addressing the root causes. Contemporary societies appear to lack a focus on fostering ethical thinking and mutual care, instead promoting individualism and sometimes violence. Misinterpretations and miscommunications of values further contribute to conflict and polarisation, highlighting the need for open-minded, respectful, ethical, and caring citizens.

Educational institutions, particularly universities, play a crucial role in mitigating social polarisation by fostering ethical thinking and respect for diversity. Universities provide platforms for young adults to engage in meaningful dialogue on controversial socio-political topics, compensating for the shortcomings of media and political institutions. The Arts and Humanities, in particular, are essential in cultivating open-mindedness and critical thinking, yet they are threatened by the rise of corporate-style universities prioritising commercially viable courses. The Asian Conference on Arts & Humanities (ACAH2024), Cultural Studies (ACCS2024), and Social Sciences (ACSS2024) in Tokyo emphasised the importance of nurturing an ethic of care and responsible global citizenship to address citizens’ needs and promote social cohesion.


Associated Conferences

The 14th Asian Conference on Arts & Humanities (ACAH2024)
The 13th Asian Conference on Cultural Studies (ACCS2024)
The 14th Asian Conference on the Social Sciences (ACSS2024)

PCE/PCAH2024
June 13-17 | Paris, France

View the Report Online

Download the PDF Report


Overview

In 2024, all eyes are on Paris as it is currently hosting the Olympics, a global celebration of multiculturalism and unity. Renowned for its rich history in fostering international cooperation, the city is, among others, home to UNESCO. The Olympics stand as a testament to how nations can engage in healthy rivalry while respecting differences, further justifying Paris as the host of the games. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faces criticism for inconsistent policies influenced by geopolitical issues. Along the same line, UNESCO and other institutions also struggle with democratic processes and redefining multilateral cooperation in the new “post-post-Cold War” era.

The Paris Conference on Education (PCE2024) and The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities (PCAH2024), gathering insights from distinguished speakers like former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor Zaragoza and Ambassador Takehiro Kano, sought to address the shortcomings of traditional international institutions. By promoting international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary cooperation, IAFOR aspires to create a platform where all voices are heard. Leveraging its diverse network in academia, industry, and civil society, IAFOR sets an example of international cooperation in a new era.


Associated Conferences

The 3rd Paris Conference on Education (PCE2024)
The 3rd Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities (PCAH2024)

ECE/ECLL/ECAH/EGen2024
July 11-15 | London, UK

View the Report


Overview

As part of our European summer conference series, IAFOR was in London this past July to host The 12th European Conference on Education (ECE2024), The 12th European Conference on Language Learning (ECLL2024), The 12th European Conference on Arts & Humanities (ECAH2024), and The 4th European Conference on Aging & Gerontology (EGen2024). Featuring an open and interdisciplinary two days of plenary sessions, 672 delegates from 84 countries joined this intellectual exchange, held at University College London (UCL) and SOAS University of London, and in partnership with UCL, Birkbeck, University of London; the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD) of the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), and the IAFOR Research Center at Osaka University.

At this conference, the IAFOR International Academic Board met to ratify themes to drive the programme, announcing four key themes slated to shape our conferences and steer academic discussions for the next five years (2025-2029). The selected themes are Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Humanity and Human Intelligence, Global Citizenship, and Education for Peace and Leadership. These themes can be seen as standalone concepts, but they are also in interdisciplinary communication with each other, as the London conference has demonstrated. With the interdisciplinary approach of the plenary sessions, the keynote speakers’ and panellists’ presentations formed a narrative of how technological advancement, education, and institutions influence power dynamics, which in turn defines what it means to be human.


Associated Conferences

The 12th European Conference on Education (ECE2024)
The 12th European Conference on Language Learning (ECLL2024)
The 12th European Conference on Arts & Humanities (ECAH2024)
The 4th European Conference on Aging & Gerontology (EGen2024)

KAMC/MediAsia2024
October 15-19, 2024 | Kyoto, Japan

View the Report


Overview

The Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture (KAMC2024) was held alongside The 15th Asian Conference on Media, Communication & Film (MediAsia2024) in Kyoto, Japan, from October 15-19, 2024. The event welcomed over 350 delegates from more than 40 countries and invited keynote speakers from Hokkaido University, Japan, the University of South Florida, United States, Osaka University, Japan, and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. IAFOR was also proud to organise a panel presented by the first cohort of our IAFOR Global Fellows Programme in cooperation with the IAFOR Research Centre at the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP), Osaka University, Japan.

From news media to indigenous art, invited keynote speakers and panellists at KAMC/MediAsia2024 addressed timely questions around power and representation. Manifested in various forms – (neo)colonialism, cultural hegemony, and capitalism – power struggles and social injustices continue to perpetuate sociopolitical structures through the misuse of media. Those who control the means of telling stories, control the world.


Associated Conferences

The 5th Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture (KAMC2024)
The 15th Asian Conference on Media, Communication & Film (MediAsia2024)