President's Message

Dear IASE members, 

Since our outstanding conference in Bhutan, there has been a significant development regarding our announcement that the next IASE conference in 2028 would be held in Ghana.

Decision about the 2028 IASE conference site

Based on the recent troubling anti-LGBTQ+ laws which carry possible criminal sentences as well as legal liabilities that may lead not only to an unwelcoming environment to some IASE members but are also in contradiction to IASE mission and the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights, the IASE board of directors has made a decision not hold the 2028 conference in Ghana.

Specifically, on May 29, 2026, Ghana's parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, criminalizing LGBTQ+ individuals, activities, and advocacy. As an organization, we are committed to equal rights and inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities and those identifying as LGBTQ+.

We are therefore looking for a university in another country to host this conference in 2028. We appreciate the willingness and enthusiasm of the faculty and staff at the University of Winneba to host the IASE conference. They were so enthusiastic regarding our 2028 conference not only for their University and Ghana but for special educators and staff from the surrounding countries. Our decision was based on the legislation enacted by the Government of Ghana that would have put the University and attendees in potential violation of these enacted laws.

If changes in legislation and these governmental restrictions occur, we may consider holding a future conference in Ghana. 

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this conference planning process.

We are therefore open for proposals to host the 2028 IASE 20th Biennial Conference.

                  2028 and 2030 IASE Conference Proposal

IASE is currently seeking proposals for the 2028 and 2030 IASE Conference sites. We welcome proposals for a venue conference site that meets the requirements listed below:

Countries eligible to host an IASE conference must be signatories of both the UDHR and CRPD and enforce the tenets of these United Nations obligations by their own country legislation and governance, including freedom from criminal penalties based on identity, expression, association, and legitimate professional advocacy.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights)

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-persons-disabilities)

• Located in a city with an international airport and situated in reasonable proximity to hotels. In addition, there should be available low-cost accommodations (e.g., dorms) for individuals who prefer to stay on the university campus.

• Provide adequate meeting space with 12-15 meeting rooms that would accommodate 25-35 persons, a large meeting space (to accommodate 400 people) for general plenary sessions, and space for registration, exhibits, and poster sessions.

• Provide needed equipment (e.g., wi-fi, overheads, and/or LCD projectors, screens, laptops, easels).

• Have food services available at/near venue site.

• Be willing to promote the conference in the region/country and designate a minimum of 6-8 people to serve on a Local Planning Committee. The local committee may include University/School staff members, International Relations administrator, the Dean or head of the School or University and local IASE members to work with the IASE Planning Committee on conference needs (e.g., printing a program, transportation, visa issues).

• Be willing to provide guidance to the IASE Planning Committee about local transportation options, cultural tours, school and agency visits, a venue for the Gala Dinner, and more.

• Be able and willing to accept registrations from your own country. This would include accepting the registrations and funds and maintaining appropriate records for accounting purposes.

* Participate in a Zoom conference call with the IASE President and conference committee with your local conference committee after the receipt of your proposal.

If you are interested in hosting the 2028 or 2030 IASE Conference, please submit a proposal to IASE addressing all the information listed above. All proposals should be forwarded to our IASE President and President-Elect.

Your proposal should be sent to Daniel McCarthyat: DanielRNM@comcast.net and/or Dr. Anupriya Chadha at anupriyadiya@gmail.com.

The proposals will be reviewed by our Site Selection Committee. The recommended site(s) will be forwarded to the IASE Board for final selection. The final sites will be announced on our website as soon as the selection is approved.