The European Parents’ Association (EPA), in collaboration with the Slovak Council of Parents’ Associations (SRRZ), hosted an enriching General Assembly (GA) and International Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 17th to 19th, 2025.
Under the central theme, “Development of Education from 2026 to 2030 in Slovakia and Worldwide” , the program was filled with vital discussions, expert lectures (including from OECD ), and unique cultural experiences. Discover for yourself in pictures on these pages!
We are excited to announce that during the General Assembly, Stefano Crico from Italy was elected as the new EPA President, and two new Board Members were elected from Spain and Cyprus.
organised by the Code4Europe consortium, of which EPA is a Member (EU project)
Are you dealing with digitalization and coding? Get ready for EU Code Week, running from October 11-26! This is your chance to discover exciting coding activities happening in your region or online – unplugged activities included!
Check out the official website at https://codeweek.eu/ to find events and get involved. You can also register your own initiatives and become a part of the vibrant community.
Join us in celebrating creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration through coding – both plugged and unplugged!
High-Level Experts’ Policy Lab by the Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory (EIP Lab)
Venue: TBC, Brussels
Wednesday 1st October 2025 | 10:00–16:00
The Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory (EIP Lab) is hosting a high-level Experts’ Policy Lab in Brussels on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The event, titled “Reimagining Citizenship and Learning: Preparing Young People for an Uncertain Future,” will bring together youth voices, policymakers, educators, and civil society to address a critical question: are our current education systems truly preparing young people for the challenges of the 21st century?
About the Policy Lab
The event will explore how education can better prepare young people not only for work and life but also for active and peaceful participation in a democratic society. A central theme will be the importance of Citizenship Education as a core part of basic schooling. The goal is for this type of education to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to navigate uncertainty and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Inspired by Jane Hanckel’s documentary, “Preparing Young People for an Uncertain Future,” the lab will feature insights from young people and global education experts. The ultimate goal is to develop a set of shared policy recommendations that will inform a new European-level report and future grant initiatives for 2026/27, aiming to improve youth well-being and citizenship education across the continent.
Join the European Parents’ Association and all our consortium partners for the SCIREARLY project final conference.
“Pathways to Educational Success – Co-creating Scientific Evidence for All Children to Learn and Thrive” will give you an overview of the results of the SCIREARLY Horizon project that has gathered information and good practices on how to foster educational success and avoid early school leaving, putting together a toolkit and other valuable resources for practitioners, policy makers and researchers.
40 Years of Parent Representation, of partnering for a common objective! This book is dedicated to all children. They are the red threa, inspiration and driving force behind our work – past, present and future. We thank all our wonderful members and partners for this common journey.
The momentum continued on May 24th as EPA members gathered for their General Assembly in Brussels. This assembly marked another milestone,as Victor Petuya ended his last mandate as EPA President and was succeeded by Elena Odysseos, a long-stading Member of the Board. Amongst the other highlights:
A warm welcome to the National Federation of Romanian Parents – Edupart (FNPE) as our newest member! Learn more about EDUPART.
Thank you Claudio Masotti for all your energy, time and dedication to EPA! You have been an extraordinary Ambassador!
Thank you Silvija Stanić for your time and dedication on the EPA Board! We hope to see you back soon!
“The miracle of Digital Technology: Beyond benefits and fascination, children’shealth and development are at risk. How we can protect our children.” – Keynote by Dr Stella Canna Michaelidou, Expert on the Impact of toxic Factors on Children‘s Health & Food Safety, President of the National Committee on Environment & Children’s Health Cyprus (More).
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share my first message with you as the newly elected President of the European Parents’ Association.
The recent 40th Anniversary International Conference and General Assembly in Brussels were truly inspiring events, marking a significant milestone in our collective journey.
Witnessing so many of you gathered, reflecting on four decades of dedicated parent representation and actively shaping the future of education and family policy across Europe, was a powerful experience. The energy, commitment, and passion you bring to advocating for parents and children are the very essence of what makes EPA such a vital and impactful organization.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our previous President, Victor Petuya, for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. We are thrilled that Victor will continue to contribute to our mission as an EPA Ambassador. I also warmly welcome the National Federation of Romanian Parents – Edupart (FNPE) as our newest full member. Your presence strengthens our diverse network and enhances our collective voice.
Our 40th Anniversary Conference, “Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy: Shaping our Common Future,” was a resounding success, and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) for their generous hosting and invaluable partnership. Their support was instrumental in creating such a memorable and impactful event.
Our deepest appreciation goes to every single one of our speakers for making this event so enriching. A huge thank you, in particular, to Gwang-Chol Chang from UNESCO for providing such a memorable and inspiring keynote speech!
We are also deeply grateful to our esteemed sponsors, Santillana, Concept Hotel Management, GEME and Lost in Translation?, whose contributions were essential in bringing our vision to life. A special thank you also goes to our many partners and networks on the EU stage who joined us, enriching the discussions and strengthening our collective voice.
As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism for the opportunities that lie before us. Building on the strong foundations laid, we will continue to champion the crucial role of parents, advocate for their voices at every level, and foster a Europe where families and children thrive.
On behalf of the entire EPA Board, I wish you all a wonderful summer holiday, filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with your families. We look forward to a rich autumn of continued collaboration and advocacy. Mark your calendars for our next General Assembly in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 17-19 (preceded by the World Youth Art & Folklore Days in Bratislava on October 16!). Our Slovakian member, SRRZ, has done everything to organize an outstanding and very special program for us, and we can’t wait to see you there!
May was a truly momentous month as our community convened in Brussels for two power-packed days of celebration, collaboration, and strategic planning. We marked our 40th Anniversary with an inspiring international conference and held a pivotal General Assembly, welcoming new leadership and a new member to our growing family.
A Grand Fortieth: 4 Decades of Shaping Our Common Future
On May 23rd, the European Parents’ Association proudly celebrated its 40th Anniversary International Conference, “40 Years of Parent Representation – Achievements and Challenges,” at the prestigious European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), a key player for Civil Society in European policy making. This landmark event brought 120 attendees from over 20 countries, alongside key stakeholders, policymakers, and civil society actors, to reflect on EPA’s profound impact and to collectively envision the future of education and family policy in Europe.
See full event recording – click
Read more about event – click
Members’ & Partners’ Voices – click
LEarn more about the EESC – click
Our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors who made our 40th Anniversary celebrations possible:
Discover the Winner of the 2025 ALCUIN Award!
40 Years of Parent Representation, of partnering for a common objective! This book is dedicated to all children. They are the red threa, inspiration and driving force behind our work – past, present and future. We thank all our wonderful members and partners for this common journey.
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share my first message with you as the newly elected President of the European Parents’ Association.
