The Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP), together with its Research Centre for Human Development, held another edition of an International Week, dedicated to the theme “Human Development in Context: International Perspectives on Learning, Inclusion and Leadership”, bringing together participants from several European institutions for a week of activities focused on learning, inclusion and educational leadership.
The choice of the theme emerged from a shared interest among partner institutions and from the scientific and social relevance of the topic for the organising team, involving specialists in Educational Psychology from FEP-UCP, such as lecturers Marisa Carvalho and Rosário Serrão.
A diverse programme with visits to Portuguese contexts
The programme included workshops, round tables, school visits, practical sessions and networking opportunities, providing direct contact with innovative approaches, collaborative professional development practices and strategies for positive intervention in school settings. Throughout the week, participants had the opportunity to become familiar with Portuguese practices and to compare them with the realities of the Netherlands, Turkey, Poland, Belgium, Romania and other represented contexts, in a direct exercise of understanding the different policies and models of inclusion applied to students with diverse characteristics in schools in our region.
Compared with previous editions, this year’s International Week saw an increase in participation and presented a clearer thematic focus. Diogo Costa, one of the CEDH researchers involved in organising this international week, highlights the interdisciplinarity of the programme, as well as the balance between thematic discussion, professional practice, networking and cultural activities, such as the visit to Serralves, as elements that distinguished this edition from earlier ones.
International cooperation continues to be a central pillar of International Week. The occasional coordination with the Erasmus+ BIP (Blended Intensive Programme) initiative “Belonging Starts Here!”, which took place during the same week, sought to strengthen proximity between lecturers, researchers and students, promoting synergies between teaching, mobility and research. According to the organising team, this closer connection reinforces interdisciplinary dialogue and stimulates opportunities for transnational collaboration.
Building on the relationships established, FEP-UCP and CEDH intend to consolidate the partnerships created, exploring possibilities for joint projects, mobility and future international funding applications, while maintaining their commitment to strengthening their global network and promoting the social and academic impact of the initiatives they develop.
The International Week took place between 16 and 20 March 2026.
