2026 IBSC Annual Conference

2026 IBSC Annual ConferenceSt. Stithians College

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

June 29 – July 2

Call for Workshop Proposals

Submit your proposal by 11:00 AM EST, December 15, 2025.

Discover, debate, and imagine the best ways to prepare boys for the future—present a workshop at the 2026 IBSC Annual Conference! Explore the theme Sukuma, Uye Phambili: Rise Up, Walk Forward as St. Stithians College hosts us in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, June 29 – July 2.

Workshops from teachers and leaders in boys’ schools form the foundation of the IBSC Annual Conference. Join us to celebrate and collaborate around the joys, challenges, and opportunities that come with the vital work of developing young men of good character.

IBSC Annual Conference workshops provide attendees the chance to share best practice with the intention of implementing innovations and learning in their own settings. Workshops aim to inspire attendees with research and proven ideas to empower our boys to be thought leaders. This year’s workshops focus on four major tracks: agency and impact, leadership and professional development, connection and character development,  and technology and pedagogy. Learn more about these tracks below to help you plan your workshop proposal. As educators and leaders, we realize our greatest potential through moments of reflection, growth, and fellowship. Thank you for joining us in this endeavor.

Please read the workshop guidelines below, then Submit a Workshop Proposal.

Your workshop proposal must include the following details:

  • Workshop Title (80-character maximum, including spaces)
  • Abstract (400-character maximum, including spaces)
  • Description (1,000-character maximum, including spaces)
  • Co-Presenter(s), if any

Note: All workshops must include at least one presenter from an IBSC member school.

Submission Deadline

Submit your workshop proposal by 11:00 AM EST on December 15, 2025. By January 31, IBSC will contact all individuals who submitted a workshop proposal with the status of their proposals. For all accepted submissions, IBSC reserves the right to edit the title, description, and outcomes for promotional purposes and in accordance with the IBSC style guide.

Workshops

Conference workshops run for 60 minutes. Workshop topics must focus on the conference theme and address at least one of the conference tracks:

  • Agency and Impact
    This track includes workshops focused on student agency and impact, community engagement, civic responsibility, creating hope, changing stereotypes about boys, and environmental awareness. 
  • Leadership and Professional Development 
    This track includes workshops focused on professional growth for staff, equipping staff to flourish as people and professionals, effective school leadership, communication and marketing, leadership programs for students or staff, staff and student well-being initiatives, and forging positive parent partnerships.
  • Connection and Character Development
    This track includes workshops focused on positive psychology in boys’ schools, character development, belonging, improving boys’ ability to connect meaningfully, equipping boys with the tools to set and accomplish goals, uplifting brotherhood, purpose, and helping boys flourish in a thriving community. 
  • Technology and Pedagogy 
    This track includes workshops focused on best practice in teaching boys, partnering with artificial intelligence (AI) and technology successfully, AI policies, engaging boys in learning, and providing meaningful feedback.

Workshops must demonstrate best-teaching practice in the broadest sense by stimulating discussion among attendees and providing tangible, effective examples to promote the education of boys. Explain how you have enhanced and supported the learning experiences of boys and how you prepare them to face the challenges of tomorrow. Where relevant, workshops may include research that supports evidence-based practice and programs.

Workshop Format

Consider using one of these formats for your workshop presentation.

  • Individual Presentation: An individual presenter gives an in-depth presentation on a specific practice, approach, or topic relating to the conference theme/tracks. Discussion and attendee participation prove essential.
  • Collaborative Presentation: A team of presenters from the same or different disciplines, schools, or countries presents together on a practice, approach, or topic relating to the conference theme/tracks. Discussion and attendee participation prove essential.
  • Roundtable Discussion: An individual moderates a group discussion on a specific topic that relates to the conference theme. The moderator facilitates and manages discussion and participation and provides summary reflection.
  • Other: If your presentation does not fit into one of the above categories, you may describe it during the proposal process.

Room Setup

Each workshop room will have the following standard room setup.

  • Classroom seating (~30 seats)
  • A projector, monitor, and appropriate adaptors for both PCs; MAC users should bring a lightning to USB adaptor.
  • Whiteboard and dry-erase markers
  • Internet connection

Share Your Expertise

We encourage all IBSC members to submit a workshop proposal. All teachers and schools have distinct approaches, practices, and programs that have worked well and the IBSC Annual Conference provides the perfect venue to impart your experience to colleagues. Thank you for sharing your expertise with our global community of boys’ educators!

When submitting a workshop proposal, please be prepared to log in: Have your IBSC username (the email address at which you receive IBSC correspondence) and password ready.

Terms and Conditions for Workshop Presenters

Carefully read these terms and conditions for workshop presenters before submitting a proposal.

Please contact Amy Ahart, IBSC chief operating officer, at ahart@theibsc.org with any questions.