The ENIRDELM network and the Network of Education Policy Centres (NEPC), in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Rijeka – Department of Education, and with the institutional support of the University of Rijeka, are proud to co-organize the 33rd ENIRDELM and 9th Primary Colours of Education Conference.
ENIRDELM 2025 will take place in Rijeka, Croatia, from 25 to 28 September 2025.
We warmly invite you to plan your next ENIRDELM experience and join an international community of educational leaders, researchers, and practitioners committed to building resilient education systems.
Conference Theme: Collaborative Leadership for Resilient Educational Institutions
Today’s educational institutions face mounting global challenges—from climate change and environmental degradation to political instability and economic uncertainty. These challenges not only impact learning continuity but also pose risks to the well-being and safety of students and staff.
The upcoming conference will explore how collaborative and visionary leadership can foster resilience, adaptability, and sustainability in educational systems. Special focus will be placed on school leaders’ roles in responding to crises, shaping inclusive cultures, and enabling professional communities.
Keynote Speakers
We are proud to announce an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers whose work and insights span multiple domains of educational leadership and resilience:
Jonathan James – OECD’s Centre for Education Research and Innovation
Agency in action: School leadership for a sustainable tomorrow
A policy analyst with the OECD’s Trends Shaping Education project, Jonathan James brings deep insights into global educational trends, sustainability, and the evolving role of school leadership in uncertain times.
Karin Doolan – Institute for Social Research, Zagreb, Croatia
School leadership in the aftermath of disasters triggered by natural hazards
With rich experience in sociological and disaster research, Karin Doolan will share findings on how schools respond to natural hazards like floods and earthquakes, and how leadership can support systemic recovery and adaptation.
Ciaran Sugrue – Emeritus Professor, School of Education, University College Dublin
Leading teaching, learning & research: Building sustainable professionally responsible communities – Back to the futureAn internationally recognized expert in school leadership and educational reform, Ciaran Sugrue offers a reflective yet forward-thinking vision for nurturing professional learning communities across educational contexts.
Why Attend?
- Learn from international experts on resilience, leadership, and transformation in education.
- Engage in rich dialogues with school leaders, researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors.
- Participate in workshops, paper sessions, and roundtables that provide both practical strategies and theoretical insights.
- Experience Rijeka, a city known for its cultural diversity, educational innovation, and commitment to dialogue.
Already, participants from various countires (Finland, Norway, Ireland, France, Poland, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Turkey, Slovenia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Armenia, Moldova, India) have shown interest or registered – a testament to the relevance and reach of this year’s theme.
ENIRDELM has always been a space where enduring professional friendships are formed, and new collaborations take root. We encourage you to share this invitation across your networks – to colleagues, students, school principals, policy professionals, and others who are passionate about education.
Visit the conference website for updates and registration details: https://enirdelm.uniri.hr
We look forward to welcoming you to Rijeka in September 2025 – for an inspiring and impactful gathering!