Call for Proposals: Educating Girls Symposium (Melbourne, AUS)

OVERVIEW

The International Coalition of Girls' Schools (ICGS) is the leading advocate for girls’ schools, connecting and collaborating globally with mission-aligned schools, organizations, and advocates dedicated to educating and empowering girls. ICGS is proud to convene a wide array of global and regional professional development gatherings, where delegates exchange best practices on the education and healthy development of girls. At each of these gatherings, girls' school educators and others have the opportunity to present their work and share their insights and expertise with fellow attendees.

ICGS programming is designed to be inclusive, and to represent a variety of perspectives on timely and evergreen topics of interest to girls' school educators. Proposals that showcase thought leadership and pose interesting questions across all aspects of girls' education, growth, and development will be considered, as will proposals that address the philosophical and operational considerations of girls' schools. All ICGS programming is designed to deliver global excellence and regional relevance. Presenters are selected by ICGS for their subject-matter expertise, engaging content, and alignment with the Coalition's vision and principles.

Please review the ICGS Presenter Expectations, as well as this submission form and instructions in their entirety, noting all dates, deadlines, and other requirements and presenter expectations before submitting your proposal. Please note: If your presentation proposal is selected by ICGS, you must register for the program(s) at which you will present by the corresponding date(s) listed below.

Questions may be directed to Kathleen Osborne, ICGS Director of Strategic Communications & Programming, at kosborne@girlsschools.org.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

You will not be able to save your progress in this form, so please be sure to have the following information ready before beginning your submission:

• Session format
• Session title
• Session description (100 words maximum)
• Audience to whom your session will be directed
• Name, full contact information, and biography (100 words maximum) for each presenter

If you do not have the requisite details, please return to this form when you are ready to submit. You may propose more than one session for consideration by the ICGS selection committee, but you must submit a separate online application for each unique proposal. (To do so, you must either clear your browser history or use a different browser or device.)

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

The strongest proposals are clear in purpose, practical in approach, and centered on empowering girls to learn, lead, and thrive. Avoid vague or overly broad topics, or sessions framed only around one school’s program without broader application. Instead, clearly name your focus, and highlight what participants will take away and do differently as a result of your session.

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* 1. Proposed Session Title (80-character limit, including spaces)

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* 2. Session Description (800-character limit - please do not use any special formatting)

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* 3. Please list three key ideas, strategies, or insights attendees will gain from your session.

Takeaway #1

Takeaway #2

Takeaway #3

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* 4. What uniquely qualifies you to speak on this topic? (This might include your professional experience, research, or a story from your school that inspired this proposal.)

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* 5. Which track best aligns with your proposed session? (Please select one.)

Wellbeing & Safety (Physical, emotional and social wellbeing; resilience and belonging.)

Teaching & Learning (Pedagogy; perfectionism and achievement culture; service learning and global citizenship.)

Digital Futures & AI (Social media; online safety and boundaries; AI in learning and teaching; chatbots or AI companions.)

Leadership (Leadership development for students and staff; creating school cultures of mattering and confidence.)

Community Engagement: Marketing, Philanthropy, Enrolments (Parent engagement; telling the story of girls’ schools.)

None of the above

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please provide contact information for the primary presenter. This is the person with whom conference planners will correspond. This person is responsible for forwarding any related emails to co-presenters. Please keep in mind that the maximum number of presenters for a Breakout Session is four (4).

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* 6. Primary Presenter Contact Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Job Position:

School/Organization:

City:

State/Province:

Country:

Email Address:

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* 7. Primary Presenter Biography (500-character limit)

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* 8. Presenter 2 Contact Information (if applicable)

First Name:

Last Name:

Job Position:

School/Organization:

City:

State/Province:

Country:

Email Address:

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* 9. Presenter 2 Biography (500-character limit)

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* 10. Presenter 3 Contact Information (if applicable)

First Name:

Last Name:

Job Position:

School/Organization:

City:

State/Province:

Country:

Email Address:

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* 11. Presenter 3 Biography (500-character limit)

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* 12. Presenter 4 Contact Information (if applicable)

First Name:

Last Name:

Job Position:

School/Organization:

City:

State/Province:

Country:

Email Address:

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* 13. Presenter 4 Biography (500-character limit)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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* 14. If there are additional details you'd like the selection committee to consider in relation to your proposed session, please share those here.

PRESENTER EXPECTATIONS

ICGS is committed to providing outstanding professional development opportunities for our delegates. Presenters at all ICGS events agree to the following expectations and guidelines.

Presenters are expected to:

Obtain financial support from their school/organization for registration fees, travel, and expenses to attend the professional development gathering, and register by the appropriate presenter registration deadline.
Participate in ICGS programs as full attendees and, as such, be present and engaged throughout the event.
Make their own hotel and travel arrangements, for which they are financially responsible.
If there are co-presenters, understand that the primary contact is responsible for corresponding with her/his co-presenter(s).
Give ICGS permission to edit the title and description for all accepted submissions for promotional purposes.

Speaker Guidelines:

The material presented should be appropriate for the audience and should not include profanity, vulgarities, or mature content.
The presentation must not denigrate nor insult any person or group based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or political ideology.
Incitement of hatred and provocation of violence are expressly prohibited.
Fundraising or sales pitches of any type are not permitted.
ICGS personnel reserve the right to interrupt the speaker and/or stop the program if any of the above criteria are violated.

Please note that, generally speaking, the conducting of workshops/sessions is pro bono work—there is no remuneration or honoraria offered to presenters. However, a special discounted presenter rate will be offered to all those whose proposals are accepted by ICGS.

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* 15. Acknowledgement of Presenter Expectations

I have read, understand, and agree to adhere to the ICGS Presenter Expectations outlined above.