News
Session Proposals for the World Congress are now open!
The 2025 World Congress theme, “We Are Inclusion” is all about who we are as a movement, which means we need YOU to help lead the conversation!
At the World Congress, we want to celebrate the work of our network – hearing from self-advocates, families, and their organisations about what works to make inclusion a reality around the world.
At the World Congress, over 100 sessions on different topics that are important to our network will happen over the 3 day conference – and one of them could be yours!
Should you host a World Congress session?
Thinking about applying to host a session at the World Congress?
- Do you have a piece of work or a good example your organisation is proud of that you want to share?
- Do you have a big success that our network might want to know about?
- Do you want to bring together a few different countries to compare what works in different contexts?
- Have some big questions or a challenge that you want to discuss with a group of members?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, the World Congress Programme Committee wants to hear from you!
Hosting a session at the World Congress is a way to spotlight your work, share stories about what works, and learn together alongside the rest of our network.
Read on for more information about how to apply to host a session and to access to the application form!
What do you need to know about applying?
There are three main rules to be aware of when applying to host a session at the World Congress.
- Sessions need to include speakers from at least 2 different countries
You can work with another organisation in a different country to host a session together that shares your work on a topic you both care about! If you need help finding another organisation to work with, contact Kimber. - Sessions must have at least one self-advocate or family member speaking
This can be as a speaker or panelist, or as a moderator. We encourage having both self-advocates and family members represented in your session! - Sessions must be about inclusion
Sessions that are about segregation or “special” activities – for example, sheltered workshops or special schools – will not be accepted, unless the session is about how to close them.
When you apply, you will also need to choose what type of session you will host.
Will it be a ….
- “Learn” session – a practical how-to session,
- “Engage” session – a smaller workshop or conversation where everyone speaks and participates, or an
- “Impact” session – a more traditional panel that compares different approaches and ways of working
More information about the types of session can be found in the session application form.
Apply Now!
Have an idea for the session you want to host? Applications to lead a session at the 2025 World Congress are open now!
Through the form linked below, tell us about the session you want to lead, who will be a part of it, and what your key messages are.
You will be able to lead a session at the World Congress in English, Arabic, Spanish, or French. The session proposal form is available in all 4 languages:
If you need any extra support to use the application form, please contact Kimber.
The application form will be open until Friday, February 28th.
Applications will be reviewed by the World Congress Programme Committee, made up of self-advocates, family members, and staff from our member organisations from across our different regions. The Programme Committee will make sure that the World Congress has something for everyone!
The Programme Committee will let applicants know if their session will be part of the World Congress in March.
Registration coming soon…
Keep an eye out for our World Congress website coming in January, where you will be able to register to join us next September in Sharjah!