Organizations that design and implement programs in moral, civic, character, socio-emotional, virtues and values education.
Re-Creating the Social Fabric in a Fragmented World: Education for Shared Responsibility
52nd Annual Conference of the Association for Moral Education
VENUE
Hotel RIU Plaza España, Madrid, Spain
DATE
June 12-14, 2026
HOSTED BY
The Center for Character and Human Growth at Universidad Villanueva
ORGANIZED BY
Juan P. Dabdoub, Vianney Domingo, Consuelo Martínez-Priego & Ana López-Vila
The conference invites scholars, educators, policy makers and practitioners to reflect on how to nurture morally grounded individuals capable of forming meaningful relationships and shared civic responsibility. Together, we will address the moral challenges of our time—digital culture, inequality, ecological crisis, and the erosion of community—seeking ways to foster human flourishing, belonging, and moral renewal in today’s divided world.
In addition to its academic program, the 2026 AME Conference will include a special Programs and Practice Day on Saturday, June 13. This day will bring together two key groups:
Representatives of schools, universities, NGOs, and educational networks interested in adopting or learning from these initiatives.
The goal is to create a dynamic space where evidence-based programs and training opportunities can be shared, compared, and connected with real educational contexts. Through presentations, networking sessions, and dialogue, this event will make Madrid a meeting point for global collaboration among those leading moral and character education in practice
Conference Theme
In a time marked by uncertainty, polarization, and the fragility of human relationships, this conference centers on moral issues and education in a fragmented global context. The theme evokes the current landscape of war and violence, the breakdown of interpersonal, civic, and cultural connections and consensus, generational anxiety, inequality, ideological polarization, ecological collapse, and digital divides.
We invite scholars, educators, and practitioners to reflect on the role of education in nurturing morally grounded individuals capable of building meaningful and committed relationships across personal, civic, and global contexts.
The 2026 AME Conference encourages proposals that address the pressing challenges of our time—digital culture, ecological sustainability, societal breakdown and violence, social inequality, the erosion of peace and the planet, and the crisis of communal belonging.
In response to growing global fragmentation, we will explore both theoretical perspectives and educational approaches that foster human flourishing, civic connection, and shared responsibility to regenerate and reconceptualize moral engagement with one another and with the social fabric we inhabit.
Proposed Sub-themes
Flourishing and Human Development:
Dynamics of the personal and interpersonal dimensions of the human being
Relationality and Belonging:
Presence, listening, and trust as the basis of friendship, family, and community—foundational spaces for personal and civic relationships in an isolated and wounded world
Intergenerational Dialogue and the Re-creation of the Social Fabric across generations and cultures:
Revitalizing mutual understanding and shared purpose across age, culture, and experience
Responsibility and Care for Our Common Home:
Ecological responsibility as an educational imperative
Shape the conversation with us at AME 2026
We are seeking proposals for papers, panels, and workshops that highlight innovative research, practical applications, and collaborative approaches to education as a force for rebuilding connections across divides.
Proposals are welcomed from diverse disciplines and perspectives.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline January 30, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance February 15, 2026
- Early Bird Registration Deadline March 15, 2026
- Travel Grant Application Deadline March 15, 2026
- Travel Grant Decisions April 15, 2026
- Presenting Author Registration Deadline April 15, 2026
- Cancel Registration Deadline April 15, 2026
Submission Guidelines
ANONYMITY
- Do not include author names or identifying details in the abstracts submitted for review.
FORMATTING
- Tables and figures cannot be included in the submission.
PRESENTATION EQUIPMENT
- Each room is equipped with standard projection and an 80-inch TV screen. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the conference venue.
SUBMISSION LIMITS
- Each individual may submit up to two proposals as first author. There is no limit on the number of proposals one may co-author.
COMMUNICATION
- The first author is responsible for keeping all co-authors informed. For symposia, the organizer or chair is expected to coordinate with the first authors of the individual presentations.
LANGUAGE
- Proposals will be accepted in English and Spanish.
Types of Submissions
We welcome proposals in the following four formats: Paper, Symposia, Poster and Educational Programs and Initiatives.
These are presentations by one or several authors, typically empirical, theoretical, or applied. Each paper session will group 3–4 related presentations into a 90-minute slot, with time for questions and discussion.
A symposium is a self-coordinated session centered on a common theme, typically consisting of 3–4 papers or alternative formats (e.g., media-based presentations). A discussant may be included.
Posters are ideal for projects in progress, pilot studies, or practical interventions. They allow for personalized, informal conversations with participants. Posters should be visually clear and concise, summarizing key elements of the work.
This submission format is designed for organizations, schools, NGOs, and universities that implement programs or initiatives in moral, civic, virtue, character, or socio-emotional education. This submission format is not intended for academic research papers or studies. Proposals should describe active educational programs or initiatives that are being implemented and can be shared with potential partner schools, universities, or networks. Accepted proposals will be featured on Saturday, June 13, 2026, during the Programs and Practice Day, which will bring together educators, policymakers, and institutions interested in learning from and collaborating with impactful educational initiatives.
We particularly welcome programs that are being actively implemented in schools and communities, and that can offer evidence-informed practices, tools, or strategies relevant to diverse contexts.
Submission requirements:
- Title (maximum 15 words)
- Short abstract (up to 100 words) for the program
- Long abstract (300–500 words) describing:
- Program objectives
- Target population
- Implementation context
- Evaluation results or evidence of impact (if applicable)
- Lessons learned and future directions
- Keywords (5)
- How the program is implemented
- Presenter information and institutional affiliation
- Program website or webpage (if available)
- Evidence of impact: if there are studies evaluating the program, include full references in APA 7th edition format
- Related research projects: if the program is linked to research projects, include the project reference and website
- Countries of implementation
- Languages in which the program or initiative is available
- Year of initial implementation
- Institution responsible for implementation
- Target audience