Granollers is set to host the 18th International Congress of Educating Cities at the Palau d’Esports from 26 to 29 May. The event will gather hundreds of participants from 500 cities, all members of the International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC), which promotes education beyond traditional schooling.
The congress aims to showcase Granollers' educational model, developed in collaboration with the city's educational, social, cultural, and economic sectors. Discussions will centre on three core ideas: community, critical thinking, and creativity.
The programme includes presentations of 100 educational experiences from 95 cities across 16 countries. There will also be conferences and dialogues featuring 14 world-renowned speakers, including Francesco Tonucci, Eliane Brum, John A. Powell, and Marina Garcés. These experts will address the themes from various disciplines, such as pedagogy, sociology, philosophy, urban planning, culture, art, and journalism.
Exploring Local Educational Initiatives
Beyond the opening and closing ceremonies, the congress will offer study visits. These sessions will allow delegates to learn about educational projects currently underway in Granollers and its surrounding municipalities.
Granollers is also promoting four specific projects that will continue beyond the congress. The first is the Children and Adolescents Congress, which involves over 1,400 primary and secondary school students from 20 schools in Granollers, Canovelles, Les Franqueses, and La Roca del Vallès. Throughout the academic year, these students work on projects designed to transform classrooms and educational centres, encouraging creativity and reflection on themselves and their environment.
Community and Artistic Engagement
The second project, Humanae, sees thousands of city residents participate. It is based on Angélica Dass's work, which documents human skin colours, challenging racial labels like “white” and “black”.
The third initiative, '...What if we were 500?', creates a stable space for dialogues and an action to build community and a sense of belonging to the city. This project marks the start of regular meetings intended to become a permanent fixture in Granollers.
Finally, the 'Art out of Place' exhibition will run until early July. This project features 14 full-size printed replicas of artworks from the Prado Museum, the Picasso Museum, and the Granollers Museum, displayed in various streets and squares across the city.
Registration for the congress presentations is available online.
