4th Experiential Learning Conference

Astana, Kazakhstan – 2025

The 4th Experiential Learning Conference brought together educators and leaders from across the region to explore meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Hosted in vibrant Astana, the event featured powerful keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and collaborative discussions on the future of education.

What Happened

Organized by the Caucasus & Central Asia Association of IB World Schools (CCAAIBWS) Hosted at the International School of Astana, Kazakhstan — April 17–20, 2025 From 17 to 20 April 2025, Astana, Kazakhstan welcomed educators, thought-leaders, and IB practitioners from across the globe to the 4th International Experiential Learning Conference (ExLC2025) — a landmark event in the advancement of inquiry-based, hands-on learning within the IB community. The conference launched with a HOPE Festival (on 17 April) — a celebration of innovation, community, and educational collaboration — followed by three days of immersive workshops, seminars, and learning sessions. Over 50+ seminars and workshops provided participants with hands-on experiences, strategies, and tools to integrate experiential learning into their classrooms.  More than 500 educators from diverse regions came together to exchange best practices, foster professional relationships, and deepen their commitment to meaningful, student-centered pedagogy. Participants also had the opportunity to earn an International IB Association Certificate as part of their professional development. This fourth edition, hosted for the first time in Kazakhstan, represented both continuity and expansion of the ExLC tradition — building on the successes of prior years, strengthening regional networks, and inviting new voices into the conversation about how experiential learning can transform IB education across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond.

Watch the Conference Highlights