How can we prepare young people for a world that is rapidly changing and presenting new social and environmental challenges? This year’s “Education for Life 2026” conference, subtitled “Think Globally, Act Locally—Educating for Active Citizenship,” sought answers to this question. The conference took place on March 13, 2026, at the Hybernská Campus in Prague and offered teachers and other educators inspiration, opportunities to share experiences, and concrete tools for promoting active citizenship in the classroom. Here is a brief look back at the conference from the perspective of its main organizer, Jana Papajová.
“I would like to thank everyone who came and dedicated their time to the topic of active citizenship. The participants included not only teaching staff and educators, but also students in teacher-training programs and members of the public interested in the topic. In their feedback, most participants appreciated the introduction to the topic through a lecture on value systems—how they are formed and how educators can reinforce certain values through their behavior, actions, and communication style.
Practical examples of best practices from the organizations Lipka p.o. and Arpok o.p.s. (the World School program), which promote entrepreneurship, active citizenship, environmental education, and critical thinking in Czech schools, served as a wonderful source of inspiration and proof that school is not just about acquiring knowledge but can be a place where young people can gain valuable skills for their future lives.
The lecture and workshop on nonviolent communication were also captivating; they prompted all participants to pause, focus more on themselves, and work on improving their communication skills—not only with their students. I believe the conference motivated participants to explore these topics further and inspired them to make positive changes in their schools and workplaces.”
