“The most tragic form of loss … is the loss of the capacity to imagine that things could be different” (Bloch). 

In a world in which a peaceful and decent life for all, based on mutual understanding and respect, seems to be at peril, if not an idle and naïve dream, we call for papers that reflect critically and philosophically on the possibility – or impossibility – of education to contribute in establishing a more just and humane future, as well as to new forms of dialogue and community beyond the many differences that divide us. 

Philosophical papers reflecting on education in relation to the following sub-themes are welcome: 

1. The critical potential/limitations of philosophy and theory of education 

2. Imagination, art and the promise of a better future 

3. Utopianism, heterotopia and messianism 

4. Interreligious education and religion for education (in a post-secular world) 

5. Violence, conflict resolution and peace education 

6. Radical change, radicalization and the passion for the new 

7. Education, justice and community in a globalized world 

8. The end/return of nationalism and its impact on future education 

9. (Digital) technologies as a vehicle/obstacle for dialogue and community 

We also accept papers that are not explicitly connected to the conference theme. Papers of Concurrent Sessions that explicitly deal with the conference theme will be considered for publication in Ethics and Education, the official journal of INPE. Provided there is enough good quality material a Special Issue will be published by this journal (2019, 1). Further details will be provided during the conference by the Programme Chair, who will be the Guest-Editor. Delegates presenting at the conference are expected to give Ethics and Education first choice to publish their contributions. 

The conference will include three plenary addresses: the Terence H. McLaughlin Lecture in memory of the late past President of INPE will be delivered by Nicholas Burbules (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). The other two invited speakers are Ayman Agbaria (University of Haifa) and Nel Noddings (Stanford University), who will deliver the annual Ilan Gur-Ze'ev Memorial Lecture on the occasion of being awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Haifa at the conference. 

In addition, there will be 3 types of sessions for which contributions are invited: 

1. Concurrent Paper Sessions 

These will be organised around philosophical papers on one of the conference themes. Each session will allow sufficient time for discussion of a paper of up to 5000-6000 words in length. Submissions for concurrent paper sessions should include a full paper and a 500-word abstract. 

2. Working Paper Sessions 

The purpose of working paper sessions is to allow participants to present papers outlining ‘work in progress’. Proposals for working paper sessions should be in the form of a 1000-2000 word abstract and will be grouped by topic or approach. 

3. Round tables/symposia 

Submissions may include proposals for round tables/symposia in which three or four participants will present related papers around a particular theme. Submissions should provide the symposium title and topic, an overall abstract of 200-300 words, the names of the participants and an outline of 100-200 words on each of the proposed contributions.