Reflections on the 2025 Global Inclusion Regional Summit | Barcelona, Spain
by: Victoria Pope, DA Global Access Network
As I reflect on the 2025 Global Inclusion Regional Summit, I’m filled with gratitude, energy, and a deep sense of purpose. My hope going into this event was that attendees would leave feeling affirmed in their work, inspired by their peers, and better equipped to champion equity in all areas of global learning—and while I can only speak for my own experience, I truly believe that hope was realized.
Over two days, we engaged in powerful plenaries, hands-on breakout sessions, and meaningful informal conversations. Our plenary panels offered insightful, cross-sector perspectives and featured student voices that reminded us exactly why this work matters. I was especially moved by the students who spoke candidly about how their time in Barcelona is shaping their worldview, confidence, and future ambitions. Their presence and their honesty were a powerful reminder that while we often speak about the impact of global education, hearing it directly from students is transformative.
To kick off the list of people to whom I want to give special thanks, is to our plenary speakers and moderators, who anchored our summit with powerful dialogue, regional insights, and visionary ideas:
- DEI Without the Acronym: European Approaches to Equity & Inclusion in Global Education: a conversation moderated by Andrew J. Gordon (DA Global Access Network), and invited speakers Marcelle Laliberté (HEC Paris), and Eva Pujadas Capdevila (Universitat de Pompeu Fabra) who shared expertise on ways to develop and embed inclusive practices in the structure of our programs in a way that honors the unique audiences that they serve.
- Shifting Models of Student Mobility: Spain’s Role in Shaping Inclusive Global Education: a panel moderated by Lily López-McGee, PhD (Howard University), and featuring insightful commentary from Cèsar Alegre Alsina, PhD (IES Abroad), and Rachel Mantiñán (Academic Solutions), two professionals with experience spanning throughout the USA and Spain.
- Students at the Center: Rethinking Global Education Through Their Eyes: a discussion expertly moderated by Clara Barbera (Berklee Valencia) and highlighting the experiences of Lizzie Kowal (CEA CAPA Intern), Winter Harris (CEA CAPA Intern), Gayle Were (IE University Alumni) and Fatma Ahmed (American University of Cairo).
I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our concurrent session presenters. Your sessions were thoughtful, well-organized, and deeply engaging. Attendees recanted the impactfulness and practicality of the sessions, from frameworks shared to resources offered to the honest and collaborative discussions you facilitated. The strength of the breakout sessions is what makes this summit a truly participatory learning space, and your contributions brought that vision to life.
Outside of sessions, I was thrilled to see attendees building connections over coffee, during receptions, and in the quieter moments between panels. These relationships, new and renewed, create meaningful communities.
As I continue my post of reflection and gratitude, I would like to be sure to recognize a few organizations and individuals.
- Our colleagues at Fundació Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Study Abroad Programmes, who were generous hosts and partners from planning to execution. The venue provided a warm, culturally rich backdrop for this international gathering.
- Barcelona SAE, for their continued partnership and support—not just for this summit, but for our global community at large.
- Our planning committee members, who contributed not only to outreach and vision, but also served as speakers, moderators, and facilitators of important dialogue.
- The incredible team at DA Global Access Network, who helped curate the program and supported the event from afar.
- And the wonderful student volunteers, who offered their time and energy to ensure things ran smoothly—and whose reflections reminded me why I’m committed to this work.
Speaking with these students between sessions was grounding. In a time when international education faces political and structural threats, particularly in the U.S., hearing about their growth, resilience, and curiosity reignited my sense of mission. Yes, some may spend weekends hopping from city to city, and yes, their studies may occasionally compete with the thrill of cultural discovery—but they are learning in ways that stretch far beyond the classroom. They are building adaptability, cultural awareness, and global citizenship with every train ride, every group project, and every language barrier overcome.
As we move forward in the year and further these conversations in the international education community throughout various avenues and spaces, I hope we continue to ask ourselves:
- How can we harness innovation to expand access to global learning?
- What does meaningful collaboration across institutions, sectors, and regions truly look like?
- And how do we sustain inclusive practices amid changing political and institutional landscapes?
We look forward to continuing these conversations with you in the months ahead and hope to connect again through future gatherings—such as the upcoming Global Impact Conference and the inaugural Global Education Technology Summit (GETS)—as we collectively explore what’s next for our field.
To all of you who joined us, from a short metro ride away to a 10-hour flight—thank you. Your commitment to global inclusion and student success continues to inspire. I look forward to the collaborations, innovations, and collective impact that will grow from this experience.
Until next time.
