18th Annual Global Partners in Education Conference

The 18^th Annual Global Partners in Education Conference will be hosted by the University of Tours, in France from May 19 – 21, 2025. We invite teachers, staff, technical support personnel, students, and administrators from GPE partner institutions around the world to join us at the University of Tours in Tours, France, in the Loire Valley from May 19-21, 2025 for this important knowledge sharing and networking event.

GPE strives to offer programming that helps students develop cultural competencies and awareness necessary to thrive in today’s interconnected world. The theme of 2025’s conference, “The Challenges of Openness” directly correlates with that goal. In a global political and cultural climate that is increasingly interconnected but at the same time threatened by countervailing forces of insularity, openness can appear as a risk to cultural, linguistic, and social coherence. What are the local and global costs and promises of openness in education, economics, politics, and culture?

During GPE 18 we will explore the themes of diversity in education and preparing our students for a globalized workforce. It will also serve as an opportunity to discuss ways to improve existing GPE programming and develop/introduce ideas for new programming and initiatives. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their research and best practices and will have ample time to network with fellow participants to help further international efforts on their home campuses.

Following the conference, there will be an optional cultural field seminar from the evening of May 21-May 23. During this seminar, participants will have a chance to explore the Loire Valley and its historical and culinary treasures: The Chateaux of Chenanceau and Chambord, the historic home of Leonardo DaVinci at the Clos Lucé, as well as local vineyards.

Please email aaron.smith@univ-tours.fr with any questions.

We hope to see you in France in May!