{"id":828,"date":"2026-04-28T13:17:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/?page_id=828"},"modified":"2026-04-28T19:53:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:53:45","slug":"reasons-to-attend","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/reasons-to-attend\/","title":{"rendered":"Compelling Reasons to Attend OEGlobal 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>2026 is already an interesting year, so why participate in #OEGlobal26?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An OEGlobal 2024 attendee stated that \u201cUniversities are repositories of social hope,\u201d and we couldn\u2019t have put it better!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conversations by and with the community that will take place at OEGlobal 2026 at MIT\u2019s Samberg Conference Center and online this October, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of MIT OpenCourseWare, will shape open education\u2019s next decade. If you need more reasons to attend, please keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reconnect in person at a moment that matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Open Education has been growing and developing for over two decades through the participation and effort of many stakeholders and educators. The 2026 OEGlobal Conference brings the global community back to MIT for the first time since 2011 \u2014 coinciding with the 25th anniversary of MIT OpenCourseWare, a milestone for the entire open education movement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be in the room for a moment that matters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open Education Global 2026 is a space to share struggles and challenges and to celebrate the solutions and wins of a movement as multifaceted as the education sector itself. This conference is for the community, by the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cBe ready to learn! This isn\u2019t like most conferences \u2014 these speakers are bringing theory and application all at once!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cA warm, joyful atmosphere, time spent with kind and inspiring colleagues, and more great ideas than can be found in my brain. So many things to share with my colleagues back home. I love how multi-disciplinary this conference is. Layers on layers on layers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Present your experiences, results, and solutions across 5 tracks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bring your research, practice, technology, and questions to five conference tracks:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hacking the Open Ecosystem and Praxis for the Public Good;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Innovating Open Content to Democratize Knowledge;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catalyzing Human Connection, Creativity, and Curiosity to Thrive;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Re)Inventing our Shared Global Vision Together; and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exploring Emergent Technologies and the Future of Openness.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These topics will be presented by your colleagues across all formats \u2014 presentations, workshops, panels, round tables, and lightning talks. Be with your community in person. Reconnect and celebrate your achievements in open education by making your solutions \u2014 projects, resources, practices, or technology \u2014 visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI appreciated the intentionality with which Indigenous Knowledge was uplifted and discussed within the context of this conference. I look forward to more work being done in this area.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cMy expectations were pretty high; I expected it to be energizing, renewing, and inspiring, and it was. I did not expect to hear kookaburras walking home at night. Loved!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cBeing able to participate in this event gives you the chance to pursue present and future trends, build trust and interest with other leaders and advocates, and foresee opportunities for new or ongoing initiatives.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 A policy maker, advocate, and researcher from Chile, OEGlobal 2018<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collaborate and network with your peers from every region<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OEGlobal 2026 is planning for a record-breaking number of in-person and virtual participants from every region of the world. At our last in-person gathering, 60% of attendees joined us for the first time, and 100% of survey respondents said the conference met or exceeded their expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore new collaborations or partnerships with like-minded colleagues, organizations, institutions, and government entities by connecting with institutional decision-makers and peers in the room. Collaborate to establish regional, national, and international alliances that take action on the UNESCO OER Recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cOpen minds, open hearts, caring people, and the ability to collaborate with like-minded people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI came as a newcomer who was feeling shy and worried about how to engage. Within the first keynote speaker event, I instantly felt welcomed into new ways of seeing and an inclusive community that opened the door for me to enter. Mahalo. I am so grateful to feel a sense of belonging.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI loved sitting down at lunch on the last day, and someone goes, \u201cwe want to start an instructional design community of practice,\u201d and universally everyone at the table said, \u201cYES! We\u2019re in!\u201d It was such a creative and energetic moment that showed me that we are a collective of people who have similar goals and aspirations.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Experience open education as a global, multi-disciplinary movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Conference sessions at OEGlobal 2026 will feature global coverage \u2014 Africa, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania. OEGlobal 2026 makes explicit space for Indigenous and Western knowledge, for arts and sciences, and for adjacent open movements. Learn from global practitioners sharing best practices, workable solutions, and provocations you can adopt, adapt, or augment to meet your own challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cRobert dhurwain McLellan\u2019s keynote on day one was deeply inspiring and moving. The discussions around Indigenous data sovereignty, particularly the emphasis on the \u2018nothing about us without us\u2019 principle, have deeply resonated with me. I\u2019m leaving with a renewed commitment to incorporating these values into my own work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cIt was wonderful to share experiences with people from around the world and realize how similar things are: struggles, successes, and dreams.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make connections that outlast the conference&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet established partners in person. Find new collaborators. Forge peer-to-peer relationships through conference sessions, open meetings, and networking events. OEGlobal 2026 discussions continue on OEGlobal Connect \u2014 our community platform \u2014 so that connections made this October stay alive through the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThis community is so welcoming and open to collaboration. I love hearing other people\u2019s OER and OEP journeys. Open Education and Open Access are truly a communal movement.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI had opportunities to meet with colleagues with whom I\u2019ve remotely worked for YEARS, so being able to meet them in person has been surreal and amazing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2023<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cAfter a very tiring year, it was just lovely to connect with like-minded individuals who share our struggles and keep contributing to open anyway. I feel reinvigorated and inspired to persevere in this important work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Be inspired at the intersections shaping open education now&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Attendees to OEGlobal 2024 named the intersections of AI and open education, Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing, DEI and social justice, and open pedagogy, practice, and research as their most inspiring sessions. OEGlobal 2026 picks up these threads and weaves them into five tracks at MIT. Share your work with colleagues who understand and face similar pressures \u2014 and be inspired in return by their solutions, ideas, and workarounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cUniversities are repositories of social hope.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cHopeful being with like-minded people. Inspired through discussions and presentations that we can tackle some of the world\u2019s issues through open education.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe sessions I attended about OEP and policy making were very inspiring and encouraging to know that the struggle with administrative support is not an anomaly at my university but something that affects others. [..] We need people making loud calls for changes while those who are doing it secretly can continue to do work as well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wherever you are, you can be at OEGlobal 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Can\u2019t travel to Cambridge? OEGlobal 2026 is hybrid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conference will include online access to the program, hybrid presentations, and asynchronous activities. The organization of community-led gatherings is encouraged to reflect local contexts, languages, and priorities. Regional meetups, keynote watch parties, and multilingual discussion circles are all options: if you\u2019re hosting one, register it as a Satellite Event, and your gathering will be listed on the OEGlobal 2026 conference website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cReconnecting with other OER passionate people has helped renew my passion to continue my own work, which has hit roadblocks.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Attendee, OEGlobal 2024<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-shadow-solid has-border-color has-var-preset-color-dark-border-color is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/register\/\">Registration <span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fasl\" data-icon=\"arrow-right\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M435.3 267.3L446.6 256l-11.3-11.3-168-168L256 65.4 233.4 88l11.3 11.3L385.4 240 16 240 0 240l0 32 16 0 369.4 0L244.7 412.7 233.4 424 256 446.6l11.3-11.3 168-168z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><em>Registration opens after May 15<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 is already an interesting year, so why participate in #OEGlobal26?&nbsp; An OEGlobal 2024 attendee stated that \u201cUniversities are repositories of social hope,\u201d and we couldn\u2019t have put it better!&nbsp; The conversations by and with the community that will take place at OEGlobal 2026 at MIT\u2019s Samberg Conference Center and online this October, coinciding with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-828","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=828"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":838,"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/828\/revisions\/838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/conference.oeglobal.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}