At the European Educational Research Association (EERA) Annual Conference in Finland, researchers from　six countries delivered an international joint presentation, marking a first for IRISE

The European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), an annual conference hosted by the European Educational Research Association (EERA), was held at Tampere University in Finland from August 18 to 21, 2026. Under the theme "Knowing and Acting: The changing conditions and potentials of education research" the annual conference brought together more than 3,800 researchers, educators, and government officials from 83 countries across Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. Over 1,000 sessions were conducted during the four-day event.

In a parallel session following the ECER opening ceremony on Day 1, researchers from six countries delivered a joint presentation, a first for IRISE, titled "Education for Sustainability and Global Citizenship: Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Alternative Ways of Knowing." The session began with the chair, Dr. Namrata Sharma, Visiting Professor at the State University of New York, USA, introducing the objectives. Next, Associate Professor Ana Belén from the University of Alcalá in Spain spoke on "Value Creation and Educators’ Agency in a Time of Poly-Crisis: Insights from a Master’s Programme in Educational Innovation” discussing value-creating education alongside the master's degree program at the University of Alcalá.

Following this, Dr. Tetsuko Watanabe, Researcher at IRISE, presented on "Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Coexistence: UNESCO’s 2023 Recommendation and Ikeda’s Educational Proposals in Practice at Soka University." Speaking from a humanistic perspective, she discussed how UNESCO's 2023 Recommendation on Education and founder Daisaku Ikeda's environmental proposals share common ideals for global citizenship education and sustainable coexistence, despite their differing backgrounds. She also introduced the program organized by IRISE, " Exploring Soka Education in Depth with Soka University Students."

Additionally, Professor Rowena Hibanada from Philippine Normal University delivered a presentation titled "Communiversity for Global Citizenship and Sustainability in Higher Education." She discussed the concept of a "communiversity" which represents a collaborative space where universities and local communities learn together and co-create value. Following the presentations, designated discussants Professor Elina Lehtomäki from the University of Oulu in Finland and Professor Magdalena Kuleta-Hulboj from the University of Warsaw in Poland offered their insights on future research activities and local-to-global collaboration in value-creating education, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Reflecting on the joint presentation, Dr. Watanabe remarked, " I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with scholars from various countries in Europe, where I have long conducted my research, to present on the proposals of Soka University founder, Daisaku Ikeda. It was a privilege to engage with researchers from around the world and expand the network of Soka. I will continue to dedicate myself earnestly to my research.”