Our first international summit

An event about learning, for all ages, exploring the future of education through innovative non-formal learning practices.

When? 16-17.11.2024
Where? Hotel Aro Palace, Brasov, Romania

A Global Gathering of Minds, Innovation, and Inspiration

The first-ever ELNN International Summit was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone in our journey as a network. Held at the Aro Palace Hotel in Brașov, Romania, the summit brought together approximately 200 participants from across Europe and beyond, including educators, youth workers, NGO leaders, corporate representatives, and government officials. Over the course of two transformative days, attendees immersed themselves in dynamic workshops, thought-provoking round table discussions, and engaging plenary sessions.

The diverse range of topics covered included:

  • 5The future of education and non-formal learning.
  • 5The intersection of technology and sustainability.
  • 5Innovative approaches to youth engagement and policy-making.
  • 5Exploring the complexity of jobs in the modern era and preparing for the skills of tomorrow.

Our participants had the opportunity to learn from a distinguished lineup of speakers representing various fields and industries. Their expertise and insights fostered deep conversations about the pressing issues shaping education and societal progress today.

What We Achieved Together

  • Engaged Dialogue: Constructive conversations that explored new dimensions in education, technology, and sustainability.
  • Global Perspectives: Diverse viewpoints from attendees representing different regions, sectors, and experiences.
  • Collaborative Spirit: Strengthened bonds within the network, emphasizing our shared commitment to a sustainable future.

Looking Ahead

The ELNN International Summit 2024 was just the beginning. Together, we’ve set the foundation for future summits to continue inspiring, connecting, and empowering our community. Stay tuned for updates on our next edition!

Our speakers

L

Elsa Cerqueira a Global Teacher Prize Portugal 2021 winner and a philosophy teacher at Amarante High School. She is driven by the challenge of creating and implementing “small utopias”, with the aim of enhancing the development of critical and creative citizens for a society that is gradually more authentic, that is, more humanised.

L

Madina Benvenuti – Madina has been dedicated to revitalizing the European crafts sector. What began with the launch of a platform connecting artisans from across Europe has grown into a series of far-reaching initiatives within the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs that emphasize the appreciation of crafts, the transmission of skills and knowledge, and solutions to the sector’s economic challenges.

L

Dario Cottafava is a transdisciplinary researcher, professor, and social entrepreneur. He is deeply passionate about finding solutions at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and social impact.

L

Alina is a facilitator with extensive experience in developing human-centered experiences, services, and products using collaborative methods like Design Thinking. She currently serves on the board of the International Association of Facilitators Romania and teaches courses in Design Thinking, Service Design, and Innovation at the Entrepreneurship Academy. She is also an active mentor for entrepreneurs at the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator.

L

Flavius Streianu is a doctoral student, working on the topic Ensuring sustainability in higher education through holistic education and learning. He focuses on bridging the mindset gap and inspire students to become better people by working on their intrapreneurship, broadening their views, and helping them understand the society we live in.

L

Gabija Novo is an International Business student at Vilnius University of Applied Sciences and she is particularly passionate about analysing individual behaviour and societal dynamics, with a focus on how technologies and globalisation are transforming human connections and interactions.

L

Matthew Griffin, multi-award winning Futurist, has been described as a “Walking encyclopedia of the future” by NASA and a futurist polymath. One of his best abilities is to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends on global business, culture, and society.

L

Mihai Sebea is an associate professor at the Romanian-American University, specializing in economics and international finance since 1997. He has led international affairs for over 15 years and advocates for international education, contributing to various initiatives at national and global levels to enhance the internationalization of Romanian higher education. His current focus includes fostering university-business collaboration, eLearning, and technology application in education. Additionally, he promotes financial literacy through workshops for all age groups, aiming to improve personal finance management.

L

Sara is an organizational psychologist by education and an HR expert with 12 years of experience at L’Oréal. Over the years, she worked across different HR areas, from talent acquisition and career development to transforming how people grow and learn at work. Sara is all about creating tools and rituals that equip and empower people in their career journey. Recently, she’s focused on shifting from traditional performance reviews to more meaningful conversations about personal development, and building the skills that are critical today and in the future to thrive in a constantly changing world.

L

As a multifaceted leader, Domnul ICS regularly empowers hundreds of young people through his engaging trainings on diverse topics, equipping them with practical skills and new perspectives. He also serves as a moderator for conferences, where his insight and expertise bring depth and real value to every session, fostering impactful discussions. Beyond his educational roles, he is a dedicated musician who performs weekly across different venues, sharing his artistic voice and connecting with audiences in powerful, authentic ways.

L

Dr. Dimitrios Vlachopoulos is an Associate Professor of Management Education in Innovation Management. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, focusing on innovative management education, digital transformation, quality assurance, and teacher training.

L

Jacob Rogers is the COO of Netizen, which utilizes gamification to enhance everyday tasks and experiences. He oversees operational efficiency and promotes the global growth of gamified solutions across various sectors, including travel and education. Jacob also manages collaborations that empower communities, tourists, and businesses to rediscover their surroundings and achieve their goals.

L

Elsie Elias is a biochemist with a passion for challenging traditional views. With 12 years in corporate roles, including pharmaceutical sales and learning development, she shifted to coaching and holistic practices. Now a freelancer, Elsie helps coaches and creatives establish their businesses and co-founded Starseeds Experience in 2024, focusing on transformative wellness retreats. She is dedicated to growth and networking with like-minded individuals.

L

Andrei Popescu has extensive experience working with youth as a bureaucrat, trainer, facilitator, community manager, and activist. He focuses on non-formal education, youth ecosystems, and volunteering, managing European funding programs like Erasmus+ and the ESC. His efforts have garnered nearly 100 million euros in funding and engaged thousands of young people and youth workers.