Lanciano, 17 October. The Abruzzo edition of Didacta Italia was presented this morning in the Salone d’Onore of the Casa di Conversazione in Lanciano (CH). The event will take place from 21 to 23 October at the Lancianofiera exhibition centre.

The press conference was attended by the Mayor of Lanciano, Filippo Paolini; Abruzzo Regional Councillor for Education, Roberto Santangelo; President of Firenze Fiera, Lorenzo Becattini; Coordinator of the Didacta Italia Organising Committee, Anna Paola Concia; President of INDIRE, Francesco Manfredi; Lanciano Municipal Councillor for Education, Angelo Palmieri; Alba La Barba, Head of the Education and University Service of the Abruzzo Region; Maria Cristiana De Nicola, Head of Office II of the Abruzzo Regional School Office (USR Abruzzo); Nicola Paglione, President of Lancianofiera; and Ombretta Mercurio, member of the Lancianofiera Board of Directors.

Organised by Firenze Fiera in collaboration with Didacta International and with INDIRE as its scientific partner, the event is the Italian spin-off of the country’s leading exhibition dedicated to the school of the future. It comes to Abruzzo for its fifth regional edition, following previous events in Sicily, Apulia and the Autonomous Province of Trento.

This edition pays tribute to Benedetto Croce, the philosopher and historian born in Pescasseroli, in the province of L’Aquila, who was one of the leading figures in twentieth-century Italian culture. The event will be accompanied by one of his celebrated quotations: “Freedom does not exist in the singular; it exists only in freedoms in the plural.” This idea highlights the value of dialogue and diversity, both essential to a school system capable of interpreting change and addressing the educational challenges of today.

At the Lanciano Fiera exhibition centre, 15,000 square metres spread across six pavilions will provide the setting for a programme featuring 960 events, including activities from the Scientific Programme, initiatives organised by exhibitors and #socialprof sessions.

The heart of the educational offering is the Scientific Programme, developed by INDIRE and coordinated by Professor Giovanni Biondi, which brings the transformations and emerging challenges of the school system to the forefront of discussion. A total of 90 training events are scheduled, comprising 52 workshops and 38 seminars selected from more than 200 submissions. This wide-ranging programme aims to provide education professionals with practical tools, in-depth insights and opportunities for professional development.

One of the most topical themes is artificial intelligence, with sessions exploring the opportunities offered by new technologies and the conditions required for their informed and responsible use in teaching. Innovative teaching methods and the transformation of learning environments will also feature prominently, with a programme spanning different levels of education, from early childhood education and care for children aged 0–6 to Higher Technological Institutes (ITS).

A specific focus will be placed on small schools, whose importance is expected to grow in light of the country’s demographic changes. The sessions will provide opportunities to discuss organisational and teaching models, as well as the role of technology in overcoming the challenges posed by distance from major centres and ensuring equal educational opportunities.

The Main Hall will also host a rich and varied programme of meetings and conferences dedicated to the future of the school system and the strategic relationship between education, local communities and institutions. Proceedings will open on 21 October at 2:00 p.m. with a session for local administrators from Abruzzo, Marche and Molise, focusing on key issues for the future of education: from the evolution of educational models to school buildings, the design of learning spaces and measures to address the demographic crisis. At 4:00 p.m., attention will turn to the new EQ-level administrative officer role in school secretariats, with an in-depth examination of the regulatory framework established by the 2019–2021 National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL), including the simplification of administrative processes and the new opportunities offered by artificial intelligence.

22 October will be devoted entirely to school principals, with two major opportunities for discussion. At 9:45 a.m., a service conference will be held for school principals from Abruzzo and Molise. In the afternoon, starting at 2:00 p.m., a second meeting will bring together school principals from Marche and Apulia.

The theme of small schools and the enhancement of inland areas will take centre stage on the final day, 23 October. Proceedings will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the conference “Multigrade Classes: Subject-Specific and Cross-Curricular Learning”. In the afternoon, the meeting “Educating in Place: Voices and Perspectives from the Inland Areas of Abruzzo” will provide an opportunity for dialogue on educational experiences and the potential of inland communities.

Alongside the Scientific Programme, the exhibition area will become a dynamic laboratory for training and experimentation, thanks to 870 events organised by companies and local organisations. The programme will feature leading businesses in technology, publishing, school furniture and other sectors, alongside major local institutions, including the Abruzzo Region; the Regional School Offices of Abruzzo, Molise, Marche and Apulia; universities; ITS institutions; and FISM, the Italian Federation of Nursery Schools.

The #socialprof area, located in the Flaiano Pavilion, will provide a meeting place for teachers, content creators and digital communication experts. Its programme will feature discussions and practical activities on new forms of educational communication and innovative teaching methods, ranging from the use of games, music and videos in learning to applications of artificial intelligence in lesson planning and instructional design.

The Abruzzo Region will be one of the event’s key participants, with a large institutional exhibition space and a comprehensive programme of activities at its stand. This will be the setting for the presentation of funding calls for schools financed, for the first time, through the European Social Fund. These innovative initiatives include grants for study holidays for lower secondary school students in their third year and funding to cover the fourth year of secondary education abroad through the Erasmus programme. Over the three days, local schools will also have the opportunity to present their innovative projects, including campus labs dedicated to school inclusion.

The complete Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition Scientific Programme is available on the official website. Visitors can select the events they wish to attend and complete their registration by purchasing a ticket directly through the portal. Payment can also be made using the Italian Teacher’s Card (Carta del Docente).

Ticket prices are €16, €25 or €30, depending on whether visitors attend for one, two or three days, respectively. Participants can book up to two training events per day, choosing between seminars and workshops, and can attend an unlimited number of events organised by institutions and companies.

DIDACTA ITALIA – Abruzzo Edition is organised by Firenze Fiera and supported by an Organising Committee coordinated by Anna Paola Concia. The Committee comprises the Ministry of Education and Merit; the Abruzzo Region; the municipalities of Lanciano and L’Aquila; the Regional School Offices of Abruzzo, Molise, Marche and Apulia; the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara; the University of L’Aquila; the University of Teramo; Abruzzo ITS Academy; ITS Moda Pescara; ITS Academy L’Aquila; the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila; ITS Agroalimentare Teramo; ITS Most Academy; and ITS Mark.

Scientific partner: INDIRE.

Partner: Didacta International.

Exhibition opening hours:

• 21 and 22 October: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• 23 October: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

www.fieradidacta.it

#didactaAbruzzo26

You can reach the Lancianofiera exhibition centre by car, by train or by taking the shuttle service from San Vito Lanciano railway station or Lanciano FFSS railway station.

Find out more: https://fieradidacta.indire.it/it/come-raggiungerci-edizione-abruzzo/