Granollers closes the 18th International Congress and passes the torch to Montevideo
More than 140 cities from 15 countries participated for four days in a meeting focused on community, critical thinking, and creativity.
The 18th International Congress of Educating Cities has come to a close after intense days of debate, exchange of experiences, and reflection on the role of cities as spaces for education and coexistence. The meeting brought together representatives from 141 cities in 15 countries at the Palau d’Esports in Granollers.
The final day included a lecture by Italian educator Francesco Tonucci, entitled “The city will be an educator if it allows girls and boys to be educated,” which focused on the importance of childhood in building more inclusive and participatory cities. Also noteworthy was the discussion on the transformative role of education in the face of contemporary challenges between Brazilian philosopher Márcia Tiburi and Catalan professor Joan-Carles Mèlich. The final dialogue, held under the theme “Cities that Embrace Differences,” featured Brazilian artist Angélica Dass and Mozambican academic Rosália Diogo, addressing diversity as a fundamental value for building more just and inclusive societies.
At the closing ceremony, the Declaration of the meeting was presented. The document, still open to contributions from the children who have been reflecting on the Congress’s themes throughout the year, highlights the participatory and constructive atmosphere experienced during the Congress, based on a pluralistic, open, and sincere dialogue. It also outlines several commitments, which can be summarized in the following three:
- Promoting education and culture: to build cohesive, inclusive, and diverse communities, free from discrimination.
- Encouraging critical thinking: as a guarantee of freedom, autonomy, and the defense of human and digital rights against the risks of big data and generative AI.
- Stimulating citizen creativity: from institutions, associations, and individuals, to imaginatively address global challenges and improve coexistence.
Following this, the winners and finalists of the 6th edition of the Educating Cities Award were recognized. This edition has reinforced the international commitment of educating cities to education as a source of inclusion and social cohesion.
The closing ceremony was marked by one of the most symbolic moments of the event: the transfer of the organization of the XIX IAEC International Congress, to be held in 2028, to Montevideo.