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Call for Host: ICDE World Conference 2025

ICDE Conference

The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) invites member institutions to submit bids to host the 30th ICDE World Conference 2025.

The deadline to apply is 1 March 2023. Members from Asia, the Middle East and Oceania are particularly encouraged to apply.

The biennial ICDE World Conference is widely recognised as the leading international event in Open, Flexible and Distance Education.

The conference offers a space to:

• Present cutting edge developments and research in the field;
• directly impact and contribute to future international and regional educational policy discussions;
• provide international and regionalised perspectives, insight and experience from world renowned experts, leading academics and politicians;
• provide professional development, interaction and knowledge exchange with universities at the forefront of Open, Flexible and Distance Education, IGOs, NGOs and companies and research organisations involved in the field; 
• Build networks, with the opportunity to make connections and strengthen existing relations with Rectors, Vice-Chancellors, faculty members and staff from about 200 ICDE member institutions and 20 member organisations.

The ICDE World Conference attracts 600 – 1000 participants, representing:

• the research community
• teaching staff
• students in open, distance and e-learning
• management of educational institutions
• policy makers
• the public sector
• relevant professional and international associations 
• training companies 
• suppliers from the private sector

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by email to icde@icde.org by 1 March 2023 (23:59 CET).

The application should include:

• A cover letter explaining the applicability of the institution for hosting the event.
• An official endorsement letter by the Head of the institution.
• A description of the institution’s ability to provide quality of organisation and planning, information and marketing, and programme content. We suggest the following areas be addressed:
  • Proposed dates (4-5 conference days), preferably in October/November 2025
  • Proposed conference theme and sub-themes
  • A proposed format and outline for the conference agenda
  • A description of the benefits of the proposed location
  • A detailed description of options for venues and facilities
  • A description of hotel options (locations, facilities, block bookings, discounts)
  • A draft budget, including proposed delegate fees
  • A description for an academic abstract review system and a delegate registration system
  • A communication plan
  • A description of the potential for attracting sponsors.
  • A milestone plan for the preparation of the conference (information such as proposed deadlines for early birds, launch of registrations to be included).

For further information, questions and guidelines please contact the ICDE Secretariat: icde@icde.org

History of ICDE World Conferences

The first ICDE World Conference (then called the ICCE International Conference) was held in 1938 in British Columbia, Canada.

By hosting the ICDE World Conference, your institution will be following in the footsteps of leading institutions working towards bringing together the international education community that is committed to Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The 2023 ICDE World Conference will be hosted by UNED Costa Rica. The previous ICDE World Conference was hosted by Dublin City University in 2019, and in 2017 it was hosted by Contact North I Contact Nord in Toronto, Canada.