Programme
Opening & Academic Foundations
The conference opens with registration and welcome activities, followed by the Kohlberg Memorial Lecture, delivered this year by Richard M. Lerner. Through parallel paper sessions and shared discussion, the day establishes the academic and conceptual foundations of AME 2026.
In the afternoon, a featured Policy Roundtable on Moral Education and Public Policy will bring together leading voices from research, policy, and philanthropy to explore strategies for integrating character and virtue development into education systems. Participants include Andreas Schleicher (OECD), Fiona Gatty (Templeton World Charity Foundation), Agustín Porres (Fundación Varkey), and Jesús Manso (Regional Government of Madrid).
The day concludes with the Welcome Reception and Awards Ceremony in the Cloister of Los Jerónimos at the Prado Museum—an evening of recognition, reflection, and community.
Programs & Practice day
Saturday is dedicated to the Programs & Practice Day, focusing on educational programs and initiatives in moral, civic, character, and socio-emotional education. The day features keynote addresses by Marvin Berkowitz and Nuraan Davids, alongside parallel sessions and poster presentations that connect research, practice, and implementation.
Designed as a meeting point between organizations, educators, schools, universities, NGOs, and policymakers, the day offers a unique space for dialogue, collaboration, and the exploration of actionable educational initiatives from around the world.
The day will conclude with a special memorial gathering honoring Dawn Schrader, former President of AME, whose leadership and contribution to the moral education community left a lasting impact.
Reflection & Looking Ahead
The final day invites participants to reflect on the conference themes and their implications for future work. Following a keynote address by Doret J. de Ruyter, the program continues with parallel sessions and concludes with a Closing Plenary and Community Meeting, bringing the AME 2026 community together to look ahead, share insights, and strengthen ongoing collaboration.