ACIPE (Scientific Association of Psychology and Education) continues with one of its main activities: its congresses. We are going to celebrate in 2025 (Oviedo, June 25-27) the twelfth with a slogan that tries to reflect what characterises us humans in the middle of the third decade of the 21st century: Development, Learning and Education in the Digital Age.
There is no doubt that the digitalization of our current world is here to stay. Faced with this situation, as ACIPE has been insistingly doing (https://museo.acipe.es/mundo_digitalizado.html), it seems very appropriate to reflect seriously on the new horizons that are opening up to us (very promising), as well as on the risks that may arise, which in fact, we already have. It is difficult to imagine a more appropriate place to do so than at a congress.
A scientific association, by definition, must be dedicated to the current -rigorous- knowledge of the core areas of interest that define it. In our case, Psychology and Education. At their intersection -their most specific structural note- the different developments must necessarily appear -more than development-, thanks to learning -better than learning-, within frameworks that must be permeable to each other, especially in increasingly digitized societies –the Digital Age-.
The classic frameworks were defined, at least in part, according to the type of education: formal -the regulated, well-known-, non-formal -more specific in its attempt to satisfy demands of a more professional nature-, and informal -the one that takes place in the rest of the areas, left free by the other two-.
Increasingly, nowadays, the permanent interactions between these types of education – increasingly digitized, although necessarily accompanied by classic analogue ones – show that learning and development, which functionally and structurally modify our brains, should be guided by consensual educational guidelines, focused on highly personalized and inclusive teaching and learning.
Previous congresses had national and international participants, who generously valued what has been done very positively. The most significant detail is that every two years they show us their loyalty, participating again with enthusiasm. This implies a justified requirement: we must take care of the quality of what is offered, in order not to disappoint expectations.
The thematic areas may serve, from the beginning, to assess the effort we have put into ensuring that the relevant current issues are treated and debated with a scientific basis: social networks and digitalization, evaluation, neuroeducation, socio-emotional development, gender and sexuality, teaching and learning processes, healthy aging, families and societies.
Our congresses are designed and structured as an academic and professional service for all those interested in Psychology and Education -in their fruitful interaction-, whether they are undergraduate or postgraduate students, practitioners as professionals, or fully dedicated to teaching or research.
At the head of the XII Congress is a teaching and research team from the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Oviedo, directed and coordinated by its current Dean, with proven experience both in the research field and in the organization of successful national and international events. We are, therefore, in very good hands.
And what about the city where the Congress will take place? The city of Oviedo is well known, within the scientific context, for being the headquarters where the prestigious Princess of Asturias (formerly Prince of Asturias) awards are granted. It exudes culture everywhere. Furthermore, located in the north of Spain, it enjoys a magnificent summer climate and exceptional gastronomy. What more could you ask for?
For all these reasons, rest assured that you will be welcome, since we are fully aware that the Congress is first and foremost you. In addition, it is an opportunity to renew our status as active members: to be Acipeans. We will see each other and enjoy ourselves while sharing good scientific knowledge, very good gastronomy, and, of course, we will make our friendship stronger. Do not miss it. We are waiting for you with open arms. See you soon, then.
