International Delegations

Details About the Delegation to Portugal

Portugal is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe known for its rich history, cultural heritage, scenic landscapes and maritime exploration legacy. Portugal has made significant strides in integrating education technology into its schools and higher education system, supported by strong ICT infrastructure, policy frameworks, and a growing digital skills base.

Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) continues our nearly three-decade commitment to a global dialogue focused on the strategic uses of technology for the improvement of teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools.

CoSN has obtained special access to join Digital Promise’s GCEN Symposium. The CGEN international learning community seeks to share promising practices to address systemic education problems.

CoSN is partnering with Digital Promise for an exciting delegation in Lisbon, Portugal from November 16-20, 2026 (excluding travel to/from). The delegation will be an exciting professional advancement opportunity allowing educator participants to discover, learn and experience inclusive education, workforce readiness and the innovative EdTech education policies and practices that are occurring in Portugal and explore their applicability to U.S. education systems.

The delegation will explore the conditions for Portugal’s education success by visiting schools, learning about innovative policies and implementation approaches to ICT, and meeting with key policymakers and government officials. In addition, we will create a dialogue around lessons learned from America and Portugal around the effective use of technology in K-12.

GOALS OF DELEGATION 

The symposium allows education leaders, policymakers, researchers, and other delegates from around the world to gather in person to discuss shared challenges and learn new strategies from each other as well as from the host institution. Through facilitated, interactive sessions and site visits, the host institution is able to showcase their education system’s innovative approaches, best practices, and strategies with CoSN and Digital Promise’s global participants. A benefit to both the hosts and the participants is the ability to exchange ideas, share timely tactics to address common challenges, and build their professional networks.

Portugal was one of the first countries in the world to launch a one-to-one laptop program, which has persisted despite changes in political parties. Online textbooks and assessment systems are currently being launched throughout the country in tandem with innovative external models like the Tumo School.

Invited guest speakers include senior representatives from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development - OECD (Directorate for Education and Skills) and UNESCO Section for Technology and AI in Education.

The CoSN delegation will be focusing on the following questions during its visit:

• How are school systems in Portugal developing and implementing new policies, particularly around creating student agency and promoting wellness with technology to create  high performing learning environments?

• What can U.S. education leaders learn from colleagues in Portugal and adapt to their school systems, particularly around use of technology for learning?

• How are they achieving a commitment to digital equity and equal access for all students?

• How are students being prepared for success as we enter an era powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

TENTATIVE AGENDA

The agenda will permit us to visit schools, meet with senior level policymakers and experience the culture of Portugal.

Monday, Nov. 16:

Symposium Welcome and Introductions, Setting the Context, guest speakers.

Tuesday, Nov. 17:    

School visits

Wednesday, Nov. 18:

School visits and Sintra Castle

Thursday, Nov. 19:  

Debrief school visits and breakout sessions.

Friday, Nov. 20: CoSN Members Only

Report preparation in the morning / evening celebration dinner.

CoSN Leaders: Keith R. Krueger & Carla Wade

Keith R. Krueger is CEO of CoSN - the Consortium for School Networking, the premier nonprofit professional association organization that serves as the voice of K-12 Ed Tech leaders in North America. CoSN’s mission is enabling inclusive and nimble technology leadership to drive innovation. He was selected by Ed Tech magazine for its 2021 K-12 IT influencers. He serves on many Advisory Boards and is principal investigator of the Driving K-12 Innovation series. Keith has a global reputation as a key thought leader and has led senior level U.S. delegations to visit Australia, Asia, Europe, and South America to examine best practices in Ed Tech.

Carla Wade is Senior Director of External Relations at CoSN where she oversees strategic sponsorships, professional learning, and advocacy programs. Prior to joining CoSN, Carla served as the Digital Innovations Lead at the Oregon Department of Education where she provided leadership in technology for learning in Oregon and nationally working with federal grants, STEM, online learning, professional development, creating state technology standards and plans. Carla has served on numerous boards and as a technical advisor to the US Department of Education on digital learning. Most recently, she served on the technical working group for the US Department of Education’s 2024 National EdTech Plan.

• $1,500/person until May 30, 2026

• $2,000/person after May 30, 2026

• Deadline to register is September 30, 2026.

• Registration fees are non-refundable. You may, however, transfer your registration to another team member within your organization. Contact hsingmaster@digitalpromise.org to make these arrangements.

What’s Included:

• Ground transportation and activities as outlined.

• All programming

• Transportation to local site visits

• Lunches during the event.

What’s Not Included:

• Participants are responsible for their own flights and accommodations. Accommodations: Please review the fine print cancellation rules carefully.

o Altis Grand Hotel 205 Euros

o Mama Shelter Hotel Lisbon 115 Euros, contact the hotel via e-mail lisboa@mamashelter.com mentioning that you wish to book for the Digital Promise event from Nov 15 to 20, indicating the Promocode GCEN26

     Space is limited to 15 so register TODAY!

For further information, please contact Carla Wade, Senior Director of External Relations, CoSN, cwade@cosn.org or 202-529-2519.