CiCea.eu - Conferences

27th Annual CiCea International Conference 2026

Please Note: While we strongly suggest adhering to currently posted deadlines, note that they remain subject to change/extension.

Building Young People's Civic Journeys: Strengthening Democracies through Citizenship Education.

Main Conference - Proposals for Main Conference - Conference General Information - Booking Information - Timeline - Conference Scientific / Organizing Committee

Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 May, 2026

Main Conference

We are pleased to announce and invite abstract submissions for the 27th CiCea International Conference. The conference is organized by the Children’s Identity & Citizenship European Association (CiCea), one of the leading organizations promoting the teaching and research of Citizenship Education in Europe and beyond, in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE) of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Porto (FPCEUP), is a leading research institution in Portugal and worldwide with over 30 years of history. CIIE has long embraced its mission of developing high-quality research on key issues of educational processes and social change, in order to broaden the role of education in promoting equity, inclusion and active citizenship.

Conference Theme

Democracies around the world have been confronted with the rise of populist, authoritarian and extremist discourses and movements. In parallel, there is extensive discussion and concern about the erosion of youth engagement and participation in civic society, with many young people facing journeys marked by precarity and uncertainty, coupled with alienation and detachment from civic institutions and processes. Governments and others invest considerable time and resources in designing and delivering citizenship education and participation programmes and initiatives. We know however that the ‘civic journeys’ of children and young people are often fragmented and disconnected, meaning that many do not have equal or sufficient opportunities for civic learning and participation as they grow up.

Against this backdrop, the conference will explore children and young people’s civic journeys, seeking to examine how, when, and where they learn about and actively participate in democracy and society more widely (and/or the barriers to their participation), as they grow up and analysis of connections and coherence in systems of provision and practice, and what measures may be taken to further encourage their civic learning and participation.

With this in mind, we welcome papers in relation to the conference theme, from a range of stakeholders including, but not limited to:

• young people analysing their lived experiences;
• practitioners (teachers, social pedagogues, youth workers, community educators etc) discussing their practice;
• researchers (including research students) presenting on aspects of their empirical, philosophical, or conceptual research;
• teacher educators (and those from allied professions) and other academics, reflecting on teaching and learning (curriculum design, methods, etc.);
• policy-makers working in formal education or with non-governmental organisations discussing the potentialities and constraints of policy design and delivery.

We also welcome papers focusing on all other aspects of citizenship education and values from around the world, exploring inter alia curriculum design, pedagogy, psychology, youth identities, law, human rights, history education, and policy-making.

Submitting an Abstract

If you wish to present at the 2026 Conference, you will need to submit an abstract for consideration of no more than 300 words via the CiCea Proposal Submission Link by or before 16 February 2026. All submissions are double blind reviewed.

Interested parties are invited to follow the proposed Conference Application and Abstract Composition Guidelines, available by clicking here (2026 updated version forthcoming). This conference accepts papers in English only.

Participation in the conference can take several different forms:

• PAPERS are presented as a standard presentation, for which you will have 15 minutes with time for questions and discussion.
• SYMPOSIA will consist of a collection of three-to-four linked papers, presented by a group together. Please note, you must submit an abstract outlining the overview of the symposium and short abstracts for each of the contributing papers.
• ROUND TABLE: a focused, interactive session where a moderator guides several experts and the audience in an open, collaborative discussion on a specific topic
• WORKSHOPS are interactive 90-minute sessions.
• POSTERS - a visual presentation of research that must be concise, clear, and visually appealing CLICK HERE FOR POSTER GUIDELINES
• VIRTUAL PAPERS- a limited number of 15-minute virtual prerecorded presentations will be accepted and must be submitted at least two weeks before the opening date. The presentations will eventually be available on the CiCea YouTube Channel. CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

Submitted papers will be eligible to be included in the Conference Proceedings. The conference is supported by the journal Citizenship Teaching and Learning, and papers of high quality will be referred to the journal for consideration for publication.

Proposals for the Main Conference

Proposals are invited on the conference themes. Participation in the conference can take several different forms:

PLEASE NOTE: For a panel symposium, you must submit an abstract outlining the overview of the panel and short abstracts for each of the contributing papers.

Link for Abstract Submission: Abstract Submission Link.

Conference General Information

General and practical information regarding the 26^th International CiCea Conference at the University of Porto (2025) will be available to download here (Link Forthcoming) as we approach the conference dates.

Booking a place at the Conference

Conference booking will open in January 2026 (Link Forthcoming).

Conference Booking Fees

1. Delegates include both PRESENTERS and ATTENDEES.

2. This fee will also grant you CiCea member status for one-year.

3. Concessionary fees are available to specific groups of individuals. These include if you are not working due to unemployment, long-term sickness, or hardship. To be considered for such fees, you need to apply in writing. Please contact  ciceassociation@gmail.com for more details

4. Please provide evidence of your student status -e.g., valid student ID or a letter from your department.

Timeline

Please Note:

Cancellations and Refunds:

• Cancellations received in writing or by email before 15 April 2026 will be refunded at 80%; those received by email before 04 May 2026 will be refunded at 50%. 

• After 04 May 2026 registration fees increase by 10%.
• No refunds will be made for cancellations after 06 May 2026

NOTE on INCLUSION IN THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

Presenters with accepted submissions are required to confirm their participation (by registering and paying for their conference) before the deadline on 30 April, 2025, in order to keep their proposal on the program.

 Conference Scientific Committee / Organizing Committee:

This conference is open to the public. We look forward to receiving your abstracts and having you be a part of this year’s exciting CiCea conference in Porto, Portugal this upcoming May 28-30^th 2026.

For further information, or if you have any queries, please e-mail us at: ciceassociation@gmail.com or ciceaconference@gmail.com. 

26th Annual CiCea International Conference 2025

Please Note: While we strongly suggest adhering to currently posted deadlines, note that they remain subject to change/extension.

Education and Communication: Being and Becoming Citizens in An Interconnected World

Main Conference - Proposals for Main Conference - Conference General Information - Booking Information - Timeline - Conference Scientific / Organizing Committee

Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 June, 2025

Main Conference

We are pleased to announce and invite abstract submissions for the 26^th CiCea International Conference “Education and Communication: Being & Becoming Citizens in An Interconnected World”, that will be held at Istanbul University in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday 12^th to Saturday 14^th June, 2025.

The conference is organized by the Children’s Identity & Citizenship European Association (CiCea), one of the leading organizations promoting the teaching and research of Citizenship Education in Europe and the rest of the world in collaboration with Istanbul University known as the “Bridge of the Science from History to The Future” with its dedication to education, research and collaboration.

One of the most challenging aspects of university education is to build bridges that enable young people from all over the world, with differences and similarities, to dream for the future, understand their goals and realize them. The foundations of this are education, communication and 21st century literacy skills. Therefore, this year’s conference theme "Education and Communication: Being & Becoming Citizens in an Interconnected World", aims to contribute to the discourse on how to raise new citizens with an innovative, multi-participatory perspective that combines theory and practice as well as past and future.

The conference will be happy to welcome all original theoretical and applied research, examining this theme, including but not limited to:

• The processes of being and becoming citizens and adding the values to self at each step.
• Empirical, philosophical, methodological and/or conceptional aspects of communication, education, citizenship and social change.
• How and in what ways communication and education can encourage young people to engage in social action both locally and globally and promote active citizenship
• We are also very keen to receive papers focusing on all other aspects of citizenship education and values from around the world exploring curriculum design, pedagogy, psychology, youth identities, law, human rights, history education, and policy-making.

Certifications

Conferees from many countries will present their LIVE onsite (and a limited number of virtual) papers:

 Our conference is an internationally double-blind refereed conference that meets international qualifications according to the regulations of ÜAK and YÖK.

• Participants from at least 12 countries will participate in the conference (45% quota for Turkey).
• Your conference participation meets the academic promotion and incentive criteria of the relevant institutions in Turkey and in all countries where such criteria is applicable. Upon request, the necessary official documents (Certificates of Participation and/or Attendance) will be shared with the participants after the conference.

The link for the Conference Presenter and/or Conference Attendee application form will soon be available via our Facebook, Instagram and Webpage. Please address any questions to ciceassociation@gmail.com.

The conference is supported by the journal Citizenship Teaching & Learning. Conference papers of good quality will be referred to the journal for consideration for publication. Our intention is to host an international conference with insights and perspectives from around the world. We welcome individuals and groups (academic associations, professional bodies, charities, NGOs, etc.) that represent a wide range of commitment to youth activism, engagement, and education.

If you wish to be considered for the 2025 Conference, you will need to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words via the CiCea proposal link by or before the abstract submission deadline(s) listed below. Interested parties are invited to examine and, ideally, follow the proposed Conference Application and Abstract Composition Guidelines, available by clicking here. This conference accepts papers in English only.

Proposals for the Main Conference

Proposals are invited on the conference themes. Participation in the conference can take several different forms:

PLEASE NOTE: For a panel symposium, you must submit an abstract outlining the overview of the panel and short abstracts for each of the contributing papers.

Link for Abstract Submission: Abstract Submission Form.

Conference General Information

General and practical information regarding the 25^th International CiCea Conference at Istanbul University (2025) will be available to download here as we approach the conference dates.

Booking a place at the Conference

Conference booking will open at a later data.

Conference Booking Fees

1. Delegates include both PRESENTERS and ATTENDEES.

2. This fee will also grant you CiCea member status for one-year.

3. Concessionary fees are available to specific groups of individuals. These include if you are not working due to unemployment, long-term sickness, or hardship. To be considered for such fees, you need to apply in writing. Please contact  ciceassociation@gmail.com for more details

4. Please provide evidence of your student status -e.g., valid student ID or a letter from your department.

Timeline

• 21 February 2025 MARCH 21st, 2025
• Deadline Extension for submitting abstracts
• 31 March 2025 APRIL 11th, 2025
  Notification for the acceptance of abstracts
• 
  10 May 2025
• Early Bird Registration Deadline ~ DATE EXTENDED
  
  
• 23 May, 2025
  Regular Registration Deadline
• Please Note:

• Cancellations and Refunds:

  Cancellations received in writing or by email before 30 April 2025 will be refunded at 80%; those received by email before 13 May 2025 will be refunded at 50%. 

• After June 1st 2025 the registration fees increase by 10%.
• No refunds will be made for cancellations after May 13th 2025

NOTE on INCLUSION IN THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

Presenters with accepted submissions are required to confirm their participation (by registering and paying for their conference) before the deadline on May 23, 2025, in order to keep their proposal on the program.

 Conference Scientific Committee / Organizing Committee:

This conference is open to the public. We look forward to receiving your abstracts and having you be a part of this year’s exciting CiCea conference in Istanbul Türkiye this upcoming June 12-14^th 2025.

A slightly lighter version of the information above can also be downloaded in pdf format by CLICKING HERE.

For further information, or if you have any queries, please e-mail us at: ciceassociation@gmail.com or

. 

24th Annual CiCea International Conference 2023
and 2nd Joint Conference with CitEdEV
& 2-day Student Research Conference

Please Note: Currently posted deadlines are fluid and subject to change/extension

Strengthening Citizenship Education in Times of Conflict

Main Conference - Proposals for Main Conference - Conference General Information - Booking Information - Conference Key Dates - Conference Scientific / Organizing Committee

 Wednesday 24 - Saturday 27 May 2023

Main Conference

It is our great pleasure to invite abstract submissions for the joint CiCea/CitEdEV conference "Strengthening Citizenship Education in Times of Conflict", that will be held at the Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th May, 2023.

The conference is organised by the Jean Monnet Network Citizenship Education in the Context Of European Values: Educational Aspects (CitEdEV), an EU co-funded platform for knowledge sharing and cooperation of experts in the field of citizenship and values education and the Children’s Identity & Citizenship European Association (CiCea), one of the leading organizations promoting the teaching and research of Citizenship Education in Europe and the rest of the world as well as the UNESCO Chair on Education for Social Justice.

We face a crossroads in today’s world concerning rights, values, citizenship and it is particularly evident in the considerable challenges facing young people both in and out of education. Confronting conflict as well as the possibilities for reconciliation in Europe and beyond make up the principal theme of this year’s Conference. This implies the need to also address the study of some of these current problems we face today, such as the growing inequality, racism, exclusion, political polarization, violation of rights, inequity, war and violence from a perspective of social justice and citizenship. 

We welcome papers examining this theme, including but not limited to:

• How and in what ways citizenship education can encourage young people to relate to, engage with, and participate in their communities in times of conflict.
• How educators and stakeholders perceive and employ citizenship education to build connections through values, youth identities, and forms of active citizenship.
• We are also very keen to receive papers focusing on all other aspects of citizenship education and values from around the world exploring curriculum design, pedagogy, psychology, youth identities, law, human rights, history education, and policy-making.

The conference is supported by the journal Citizenship Teaching & Learning. Conference papers of good quality will be referred to the journal for consideration for publication. Our intention is to host an international conference with insights and perspectives from around the world. We welcome individuals and groups (academic associations, professional bodies, charities, NGOs, etc.) that represent a wide range of commitment to youth activism, engagement, and education.

If you wish to be considered for the 2023 Conference, please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words via the CiCea/CitEdEV proposal link [see below] on or before Tuesday 28th February 2023. This conference accepts papers in English only.

Proposals for the Main Conference

Proposals are invited on the conference themes. Participation in the conference can take several different forms:

Conference General Information

The draft conference programme and book of abstracts for the 2023 CiCea / CitEdEv Conference can be downloaded >>>>>> HERE <<<<<<.

 The final 2023 CiCea / CitEdEv Student Research Conference Programme can be downloaded >>>>>> HERE <<<<<<.

Conference Key Dates

• 10 February 2023
  First call for abstracts
  
  
• 20 February 2023
  Second call for abstracts
  
  
• 28 February 2023  NEW DEADLINE ~ MARCH 15, 2023 ~~>>MARCH 25, 2023<<~~
  Abstract Submission Deadline
  
  
• April 5, 2023 NEW DATE ~ APRIL 17, 2023 
  Scientific Committee  decision - Abstract Acceptance
• MAY 8th 2023 
  Participant registration fee and payment deadline, after this date fees increase 10%
  
  
• 24-27 May, 2023
  Conference - Autonomous University of Madrid

 Conference Scientific Committee / Organizing Committee: