2026 Advanced Learning Seminar – Programme
The seminar combines advanced ESD methodology, facilitation practice, trauma-informed learning, peer exchange, networking, and strategic development of the ESD community. Sessions range from focused one-hour discussions to two-hour practical workshops and an extended series on Trauma-Informed ESD.
Session durations are indicated below. The detailed daily timetable will be shared with registered participants.

Opening Plenary – ESD Instructors Community
Duration: 1 hour
A shared opening space for all instructors to connect, reflect on where we are as an international ESD community, and set intentions for learning, exchange, and collaboration throughout the seminar.

Networking Among the International ESD Community – Building Meaningful Partnerships and Growing the ESD Movement
Facilitator: Gentiana Susaj
Duration: 1 hour
An interactive session focused on meaningful professional relationships, networking, collaboration, and building partnerships that can strengthen both individual ESD initiatives and the wider ESD movement.

What Makes a Physical Technique an ESD Technique?
Facilitator: Anat Errel
Duration: 2 hours
A practical exploration of the principles that distinguish an Empowerment Self-Defense physical technique from a martial arts or a conventional self-defense technique. Participants will examine physical skills through the lens of empowerment, accessibility, adaptability, safety, and effective teaching.

Teaching the Biomechanics Behind ESD Physical Skills
Facilitator: Michele Elefante
Duration: 2 hoursThis advanced session explores the biomechanics - alignment, structure, and movement dynamics - behind ESD physical skills. Focus on why techniques work and how to teach them effectively across all populations.

Sharing Best Practices Across Countries
Facilitator: Gentiana Susaj
Duration: 1 hour
A peer-learning space to exchange successful methods, activities, experiences, new ideas, tools, and approaches being used by ESD instructors in different countries and communities.

Teaching ESD to Different Communities
Facilitators: Gentiana Susaj & Anat Errel
Duration: 1 hour
Group discussions exploring adaptation of ESD for different populations, including:
Teaching ESD in Schools – facilitated by Gentiana Susaj
Teaching ESD to Seniors – facilitated by Anat Errel
Participants will exchange experiences, challenges, adaptations, and lessons learned from working with different age groups and settings.

What Makes a Game an ESD Game?
Facilitator: Kim Rivers
Duration: 2 hours
An interactive exploration of games and experiential activities used in ESD. Participants will examine what transforms a game from a simple energizer or physical activity into an empowering learning experience aligned with ESD principles.

The Art of Empowering Facilitation – Connecting, Engaging, and Inspiring Your ESD Groups
Facilitator: Gentiana Susaj
Duration: 1.5 hours
A practical session focused on how instructors connect with participants, build group energy, communicate with clarity, and create learning environments where participants feel engaged, capable, and empowered.

Creative Lab – Build Your Own ESD Activity
Duration: 30 minutes
A hands-on creative space where participants apply what they have learned during the seminar to design or adapt an ESD activity of their own.
Participants will later have an opportunity to share and test their activities with colleagues.

Success Stories as a Teaching Tool
Facilitator: Anat Errel
Duration: 1 hour
Explore how success stories can be used intentionally in ESD teaching to reinforce learning, highlight participant agency, build confidence, and demonstrate the range of options available in challenging situations.

ESD Europe – Priorities, Goals and Future Direction
Facilitator: Gentiana Susaj
Duration: 1 hour
A participatory discussion about priorities, goals, coordination, and the future direction of the ESD Europe network. The session will also explore how we can strengthen relationships, collaboration, and our European ESD community.

Growing Your ESD Programme – Partnerships, Impact and Sustainability
Duration: 2 hours
Explore practical ways to reach more people, develop partnerships, expand ESD programmes, and strengthen their sustainability.
Participants will also consider practical approaches to measuring impact, documenting results, and communicating the value of their work to partners, institutions, and funders.
The session will include an opportunity to present or “pitch” an ESD project or initiative and receive feedback.

Trauma-Informed ESD
Total learning time: 9 hours across four sessions
An extended learning component dedicated to integrating trauma-informed principles into Empowerment Self-Defense teaching.
The programme will explore how trauma can influence participation and learning, how instructors can create safer and more supportive environments, and how verbal, physical, and facilitation practices can be adapted through a trauma-informed lens.
The programme is delivered progressively across four sessions, every afternoon. Body movement and embodied learning activities are integrated into the sessions.

Sharing Your ESD Activity
Duration: 2 hours
Participants share activities developed during the Creative Lab, creating an opportunity to practice, experiment, receive peer feedback, and learn from one another.

Closing Plenary – Learning, Connection and What Comes Next
Duration: 1 hour
A final gathering of all instructors to reflect on key learning, exchange insights, strengthen connections, and identify ways to continue learning and collaborating beyond the seminar.

Community & Social Time
Approximately 1 hour per gathering every evening
Informal evening spaces for connection, socialising, sharing, and strengthening relationships within the international ESD community.