The University of Siena hosted a week rich in opportunities for international dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration, bringing together researchers, institutions and educational stakeholders around shared reflections on inclusive education, transformative research and the future of educational systems.
On 30 and 31 October 2026, the Pionta Campus in Arezzo hosted the 2026 UNISI International Conference on Transformative Research in Special Education, entitled “Redesigning the University: Spaces, Cultures and Practices for Inclusive Transformative Research”. The conference was organised by the DNA Project team, composed of Prof. Alessandra Romano, Dr Francesca Bulletti, Dr Giovanni Gottardo and Dr Elena Ruviglioni, whose work contributed to bringing together international researchers, institutions and educational stakeholders around shared reflections on inclusive education and transformative research.
The conference provided an important opportunity to explore how universities and educational institutions can become increasingly inclusive environments, capable of promoting participation, accessibility, equity and meaningful educational opportunities for all.
The event also represented a valuable occasion for strengthening the international network of I-Civic, welcoming contributions from several project partners and fostering dialogue between different institutional and educational perspectives.
I-CIVIC partners contributing to the international debate on inclusive education
The conference welcomed contributions from several I-CIVIC partners, whose participation enriched the international discussion with experiences and perspectives from the Basque Country and the European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC).
On 31 October, all four I-CIVIC partners from the Basque Country took part in the conference. Iratxe Renteria and Andoitz Alpaola, representing the Government of the Basque Country, joined Prof. Iñaki Karrera and Garazi Ormazabal Arizkorreta, from the University of the Basque Country, bringing their respective institutional and academic perspectives to the discussion.
During the session dedicated to international perspectives, Prof. Iñaki Karrera and Garazi Ormazabal Arizkorreta presented “Building Inclusive School Networks through Communities of Practice: Development, Strategies and Practices from the Basque Country”. Their contribution explored the role of communities of practice in developing inclusive school networks, sharing experiences and strengthening collaboration among educational professionals and institutions.
The participation of Iratxe Renteria and Andoitz Alpaola from the Basque Government brought an institutional perspective to the discussion, complementing the academic contribution of their colleagues from the University of the Basque Country.
The conference also welcomed Charlie Moreno-Romero and Paola Boccia, representing the European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC), who presented “Teaching about Democracy or Learning about it Democratically? The Experience of European Democratic Schools”. Their contribution opened up a reflection on democratic education, exploring the importance of learning democracy through democratic practices and participation within school communities.
The programme on 31 October also featured contributions from members of the University of Siena research team involved in I-CIVIC. Prof. Maria Rita Mancaniello presented the IHES Project, sharing emerging perspectives from international studies on post-secondary education programmes. Prof. Tiziana Chiappelli chaired the session dedicated to research at the University of Siena, while Prof. Andrey Felipe Sgorla chaired the session on international perspectives. Their contributions reflected the research team’s active involvement in the conference and its commitment to advancing inclusive education through research and international collaboration.
Through these contributions, iCivic partners brought their diverse institutional and educational experiences into the conference, offering complementary perspectives on the development of more inclusive, collaborative and participatory educational environments.
Connecting educational perspectives: the visit to ITIS Galileo Galilei in Arezzo
The week of international exchange continued with a visit to ITIS Galileo Galilei in Arezzo, organised as an opportunity to extend the dialogue beyond the university setting and engage directly with the school community.
The visit involved Prof. Alessandra Romano, Garazi Ormazabal Arizkorreta, Iratxe Renteria Uriarte, Andoitz Alpaola and Giorgia Lupo, who were welcomed by the school’s Principal Luca Decembri, the school’s Vice-Principal Luigi Laudari and the school’s team.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to establish a direct connection between the Italian school context and the Basque partners, creating a space for discussion and the exchange of experiences concerning different educational systems, approaches and practices.
The visit represented a meaningful moment of international exchange, demonstrating the value of bringing together universities, public institutions and schools. Direct encounters and discussions between educational communities can help build new connections, encourage mutual learning and open up opportunities for future collaboration.
These activities reflect the importance of the I-CIVIC network in promoting dialogue across institutional and geographical boundaries, supporting the exchange of knowledge and experiences and contributing to the development of more inclusive and participatory educational perspectives.
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