With the support of
Thanks to the collaboration with D.i.S.A.L. (Association of School Leaders), accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit, participation in EdYOUFest Etna entitles teachers to official ministerial leave as a recognised training course.
Italian Teachers can register through the SOFIA platform.
Platinum Sponsor

Derry
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Welcome to the North of Ireland for what’s set to be an unforgettable EdYoufest Derry 2026!
Here, on the edge of Europe, our island is shaped by the wild Atlantic winds and warmed by the spirit of its people. The historic city of Derry (or Londonderry) — one of Ireland’s oldest and most storied places — lies proudly on the border with the Republic of Ireland, where history, culture, and creativity meet.
We are looking forward to coming together to share ideas, spark conversations, and inspire one another. You’ll discover that the only thing warmer than our welcome is our passion for learning, connection, and collaboration.
We can’t wait to see you soon and share the true heart and spirit of our wonderful city with you.
John McGowan
Managing Director, The North West Academy of English

![[Edyoufest 2026] Derry 02.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ec36e4_9bfb7776456b4e0fac5d56dd103cca66~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_300,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BEdyoufest%202026%5D%20Derry%2002.jpg)
![[Edyoufest 2026] Derry 01.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ec36e4_dcb4cfc030c84a68b85b8be61cb95e39~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_300,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BEdyoufest%202026%5D%20Derry%2001.jpg)
Local EdYOUFest Derry Team

Francesca
Giacomini

John
McGowan

Clare
Heaney
Facilities

Konrad
Radlak

Magda
Boyle

Chris
McGowan
Plenaries, Workshops
Certificate
Ceremony
The North West
Academy of English
















Gala
Dinner

24, Bishop Street
Derry - BT48 6PP

Programme
Day One:
- 08.30 – 09.15: Meeting at the host school
- 09.15 – 09.55: Local authorities and organizers welcome
- 10.00 – 11.30: First Plenary Session
- 11.45 – 12.30: Workshops: Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4
- 12.30 – 13.45: Lunchtime
- 14.00 – 15.30: Second Plenary Session: Catherine Mantadaki
Mediation in EFL Teaching: Enhancing the
Human Advantage in Learning
- 15.45 – 16.30: Workshops: Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4
- 16.45 – 18.00: Third Plenary Session: Robert Howard
You Can't Program Passion - Why AI Can't
Replace the Heart of Teaching
- 18.00 – 20.15: Free time
- 19.30 – 22.30: Gala Dinner with Music and Dance
Day Two:
- 09.30 – 09.50: Meeting at the host school
- 10.00 – 11.30: Fourth Plenary Session: Thomas Jones
Teaching for tomorrow
- 11.45 – 12.30: Workshops: Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4
- 12.30 – 13.45: Lunchtime
- 14.00 – 14.50: Poster sessions
- 15.00 – 15.50: Workshops: Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4
- 16.00 – 17.00: Panel with two speakers
- 17.00 – 18.00: Certificate Ceremony
​- 18.00 – 20.00: Irish music and dance
Day Three:
- 8.30 – 11.30: Cultural Day Tour

Master of Ceremony

Konrad
Radlak​

Magda
Boyle
Cultural Day Tour
Start time: 10:00am
Meeting point: Guildhall Square (central, easy to find)
Route & Stops:
-
Guildhall Square — introduction: the history of Londonderry, importance in regional and national history.
-
Walk part of the City Walls — view landmarks, gates, fortifications; talk about Plantation, Siege of Derry.
-
St Columb’s Cathedral / Long Tower (if nearby) — religious history, architectural context.
-
Cross via Peace Bridge (if time allows) — talk about reconciliation, modern civic space.
-
Bogside & Murals — include Free Derry Corner, Bloody Sunday memorial, murals, civil rights stories.
-
End at Museum of Free Derry (or another museum) — so those who want to stay on can explore further or have a break / reflection session.
​
The guided tour will be provided by DerryBlueBadgeGuide.com is one of the fastest growing tour guiding companies in Ireland. The company is run by Michael Cooper, the first Blue Badge Tourist Guide in Derry City (the Blue Badge is the highest accreditation in tour guiding). Michael is a former employee of Derry Visitor & Convention Bureau, the key tourism agency in Ireland’s northwest. He is also a triple graduate from the University of Ulster with qualifications including Bachelor and Masters degrees in Irish History & Politics which ensure tours can be designed covering any aspect of Irish history.
​
Speakers
2026 EdYOUfest topic for Plenary and Workshop sessions related to:
"Human Intelligence in the Age of Technology: The Key to Future Teaching?"
Plenary Presenters

Thomas
Jones

Rob
Howard

Catherine
Mantadaki

xxxxx
xxxxx
Workshop Presenters

Clare
Heaney

Qasserras
Lhoussine

Pinar
Sekmen

Alex
Mackenzie

Alona
Korniienko

Tatsiana
Karachun

Lawrence
Body

xxxxx
xxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxx
Panel Session

John
McGowan

xxxxx
xxxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxxx
Poster Session Presenters

xxxxx
xxxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxxx

xxxxx
xxxxxx
EdYOUFest Tickets
Gold Ticket
- 4 Plenary Sessions
- 20 Workshop Sessions
- 1 Panel Session
- 1 Poster Session
- Light Lunch
- Coffee Break
- Certificate Ceremony
- Access to the Exhibition Area
- Gala Dinner
- Cultural Tour
Price:€ 59.00
For EDYOUCARD member Price:€ 49.00
Silver Ticket
- 4 Plenary Sessions
- 20 Workshop Sessions
- 1 Panel Session
- 1 Poster Session
- Light Lunch
- Coffee Break
- Certificate Ceremony
- Access to the Exhibition Area
​
​
​
Price:€ 20
For EDYOUCARD member Price:€ 10.00
Coming Soon Hotel
Accommodation

















