WIC 2025 in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 15th to 17th October. GSBA Consultancy & Affairs Media and Consultants Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with IFIP, are the South Asia Partners for WIC.
The mission of WIC (World Inclusion Congress) 2025 is to unite the global community for inclusion as an inalienable right of every child.
The Congress will become a global platform for the exchange of experience, innovations and partnerships to jointly create solutions for equal access to quality education.
By hosting WIC (World Inclusion Congress) 2025, Kazakhstan confirms its commitment to inclusion and shares its path to a fair education system.
GSBA Consultancy and AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media have come together as GSBA–AFAIRS, a strategic partnership committed to driving inclusion, well-being, and innovation across sectors in South-Asia. As the Official Regional Partner for IFIP (The International Forum for Inclusion Practitioners), we collaborate with institutions, governments, and leaders to build systems that are equitable, compassionate, and future-ready.
We are proud to be the official South-Asia regional partners for the World Inclusion Congress 2025, to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from October 15–17. This global platform will convene voices from diverse fields to co-create solutions for a more inclusive and equitable world.
| TIME | Halyk Arena Official Opening for All Participants |
|---|---|
| 11:00 – 13:00 | Participant transfer from hotels. Registration. |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Cultural and musical program for all participants |
| 14:00 – 14:40 | Grand Opening of the Global Exhibition |
| 15:00 | Official Opening Ceremony of the Congress |
| 15:10 – 15:40 | Plenary Session: Moderator and Ministers of Education |
| 15:40 – 16:10 | Keynote Speech by Motivational Speaker |
| 16:10 – 16:30 | Plenary Session: Moderator and Global Development Leaders |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Congress Headliner Performance |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Theatrical Concert Program |
| TIME | Hall 1 | Hall 2 | Hall 3 | Hall 4 | Hall 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Keynote: Invisible wounds shaping a child’s future Speaker: Sarah Johnson (UK) | Keynote: The future of education without borders through AI | Keynote: Personalized learning paths for children Speaker: Jane Nadarajah | Keynote: The role of specialists in inclusive environments Speaker: Jane Clarke | Keynote: Practical approaches to complex disabilities Speaker: Matthew Campion |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Panel: Designing schools students love Speakers: Takaharu Tezuka, Roger Mitchell | Panel: Digital inclusion and transforming technologies Speakers: Simona Isaacs, Rebecca Foldjambe, Lizzie Hacking | Panel: Early development through play Speaker: Sandy Chappell | Panel: Specialists as key links in support Speakers: Jane Clarke, Maria Cecilia Achlig, Allison Posey | Panel: Skills for inclusive professionals Speakers: Elizabeth Shaffer, Roslyn Dotterwich, Sharon Lewis |
| 10:05 – 10:35 | Interview: Teacher confidence and emotional challenges Speaker: Rebecca Foldjambe | Interview: Can tech understand emotion? Speakers: Sarah Johnson, Kelvin Odera | Interview: Inclusion from the cradle Speaker: Thomas Harding | Interview: Behavior or symptom? Speakers: Freda Nabayunga, Arabella Skinner | Interview: Research on complex support Speakers: Matthew Campion, Allison Posey |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | Keynote: Digital hygiene in school mental health Speaker: Rebecca Foldjambe | Keynote: Inclusion and tech in a digital age Speaker: Emily Cherkin | Keynote: Leadership & empathy in early education | Keynote: Inner readiness to support inclusion Speaker: Sianlia Vermeulen | Keynote: Specialists as keys to inclusive education Speaker: Donna Wright |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Workshop: Emotionally supportive school Speaker: Roger Mitchell | Workshop: AI in education: from theory to practice | Workshop: Early inclusion environments Speaker: Olga Kim | Workshop: Psychological tools in inclusive classrooms Speaker: Freda Nabayunga | Workshop: Practical tools for specialists Speaker: May Elnimer |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | Panel: Integrating SEMH into curricula Speaker: Freda Nabayunga | Panel: AI for personalized learning Speaker: Leo Thompson | Panel: Innovations in early childhood Speaker: Jane Nadarajah | Panel: Psychological safety in schools Speakers: May Elnimer, Jessica Hills | Panel: Interdisciplinary teamwork Speakers: Daniel Sobel, Aida Hrnic, Daria Udovichich |
| 12:10 – 12:30 | Workshop: Emotional regulation for children Speaker: Sarah Johnson | Workshop: Digital health and resilience Speaker: Kelvin Odera | Workshop: Personalized learning in early childhood | Workshop: Building empathy in inclusive classrooms Speaker: Lizzie Hacking | Workshop: Language and inclusion: Arabic case studies Speaker: Farah Sarradj |
| 12:40 – 13:00 | Keynote: Supporting children with SEMH Speaker: Stuart Bonney | Keynote: AI and automated assessments | Keynote: Robots & games in early childhood | Keynote: Parental resilience and child wellbeing Speaker: Amit Kallay | Keynote: Inner readiness for inclusion Speaker: Jessica Hills |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Workshop: SCARF approach for well-being Speaker: Jan Forshaw (UK) | Workshop: Inclusive digital practices for neurodiverse students Speaker: Lauren Jones | Workshop: Preschool education for life success Speaker: Sandy Chappell | Workshop: Psychological tools for inclusive support Speaker: Joseph B. Ryan | Workshop: Innovative strategies for specialists Speaker: Daria Udovichich |
| 14:00 – 14:20 | Keynote: Seeing every learner: inclusion as philosophy Speaker: Daniel Sobel | Keynote: Emotional & playful formats as inclusion tools Speaker: Ben Levy | Keynote: Inclusion as innovation and potential Speaker: May Elnimer | Keynote: Students as drivers of inclusion Speaker: Arabella Skinner | |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Panel: Partnerships between school, family & community Speakers: Sianlia Vermeulen, Manobina Chakraborty, Brett Gray | Panel: Digital inclusion for sustainable education Speaker: Emily Cherkin | Panel: Inclusive & trauma-informed learning environments Speakers: Jan Forshaw, Matthew Campion, Luke Taylor | Panel: Unlocking student talent Speaker: Kristin Topper | Panel: Inclusive practices in action |
| 15:10 – 15:20 | Interview: Inclusive teaching pathways Speakers: Maria Achlig, Unity Sabina Arthur | Interview: EdTech transforming education Speaker: Stuart Bonney | Interview: From research to families Speaker: Aida Hrnic | Interview: Towards equal opportunities Speaker: Donna Wright | Interview: Gen Z and inclusive futures Speakers: Kelvin Odera, Roslyn Dotterwich, Luke Taylor |
| 15:30 – 15:50 | Keynote: Occupational therapy in inclusive classrooms Speaker: Elizabeth Shaffer | Keynote: Inclusion by default through technology Speaker: Simona Isaacs | Keynote: Science of inclusion in education policy Speaker: Joseph B. Ryan | Keynote: Digital career guidance for all Speaker: Shilpa Indoria | |
| 16:00 – 16:20 | Workshop: Inclusion through inspiring teaching Speaker: Ben Levy | Workshop: Tech support for students with autism Speaker: Matthew Campion | Workshop: Life and work skills for SEN students Speaker: Roslyn Dotterwich | Workshop: Student & young teacher leadership Speaker: Shinelli James | |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Panel: Strategies for inclusive learning spaces Speakers: Unity Sabina Arthur, Lori Carpenter | Panel: Innovative tech for SEN support Speaker: Stuart Bonney | Panel: Research-driven inclusive education Speakers: Lauren Jones, Ben Levy, Joseph Ryan | Panel: Youth voices in education & inclusion Speakers: Erica Walters, Shilpa Indoria | |
| 17:00 – 17:20 | Keynote: Personalized learning for SEN Speaker: Lauren Jones | Keynote: AI-supported AAC tech Speaker: Elizabeth Shaffer | Keynote: Families and inclusive education Speaker: Amri B. Johnson | Keynote: My inclusive education journey Speaker: Aisulu Suleimenova | |
| 17:30 – 17:50 | Workshop: Bilingualism & cultural inclusion Speaker: Farah Sarradj | Workshop: Interactive devices for SEN children Speaker: Simona Isaacs | Workshop: Teacher training for inclusion Speaker: Kristin Topper | Workshop: Supporting students with intellectual disabilities Speaker: Erica Walters |
| TIME | Hall 1 | Hall 2 | Hall 3 | Hall 4 | Hall 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Keynote: The school of the future begins with leadership Speaker: Roger Mitchell | Keynote: Inclusion as strategy: why business should invest in accessible education Speaker: Amri B. Johnson | Keynote: Creating a world without borders through sport and creativity Speaker: Ben Gadsen | Keynote: The power of family: transforming inclusive education Speaker: Aida Hrnic | |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Panel: Global school leadership in inclusive transformation Speakers: D. McBeath, J. Salmela, S. James, B. Gray, T. Harding, D. Beer | Panel: Medical & educational partnerships to support student health Speakers: F. Sarradj, A. Skinner | Panel: Inclusion through movement, sport and arts Speaker: Ben Gadsen | Panel: Parents as co-creators of inclusive schools Speaker: May Elnimer | |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | Interview: Leading change from within Speakers: T. Tezuka, Lori Carpenter | Interview: Careers without barriers for youth with disabilities Speaker: Shilpa Indoria | Interview: Being visible through personal story in sport & culture Speaker: Aisulu Suleimenova | Interview: Psychological support as foundation for inclusion Speakers: Jane Clarke, Catherine Pelazza, Lizzie Hacking | |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Keynote: Finnish leadership model: trust & autonomy in schools Speaker: Janne Salmela | Keynote: Inclusive education as driver of innovation & CSR Speaker: Leo Thompson | Keynote: Inclusive sport as pathway to equality | Keynote: Grassroots inclusion: changing education through community Speaker: Manobina Chakraborty | |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | Workshop: Transforming school culture through daily practices Speaker: Catherine Pelazza | Workshop: Developing corporate inclusion programs Speaker: Dhruv Patel | Workshop: Creative methods for engaging SEN students Speaker: David Huntingford | Workshop: Parents as systems of change Speaker: Amit Kallay | |
| 12:10 – 12:30 | Panel: Innovative practices in international education Speakers: B. Gray, Donna Wright | Panel: Inclusion as a corporate education strategy Speaker: Amri B. Johnson | Panel: Arts and sport for social integration Speaker: David Huntingford | Panel: School and workplace as family partners Speaker: Amit Kallay | |
| 12:40 – 13:00 | Keynote: School leadership as engine of inclusion Speaker: D. McBeath | Keynote: Business partnerships reshaping inclusion Speaker: Dhruv Patel | Keynote: Sports and arts as bridges to equality | Keynote: Parents as partners in inclusion Speaker: Maria Cecilia Achlig | |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Workshop: Leadership through personal transformation Speaker: Sianlia Vermeulen | Workshop: — | Workshop: Inclusion in motion: sports, arts, and creativity | Workshop: Cooperation with parents as inclusive school resource | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | Plenary Session | ||||
| 17:00 – 17:30 | Official Closing Ceremony of the Congress | ||||
| 17:30 – 18:30 | Gala Dinner for Invited Guests (Location TBD) | ||||
Founder and CEO of International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners
Daniel Sobel is a highly respected inclusion strategist, author, educator, and speaker, who drives global change through Inclusion Expert and the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP). His work reshapes how schools worldwide approach inclusive education, championing innovation and equity.
If you’d like to know more about IFIP’s events, publications, or training programs—or explore his book recommendations—just let me know!
