EU STEM Coalition General Assembly April 2026

From Reflection to Action in Istanbul

Istanbul, Türkiye – 23 & 24 April 2026

The EU STEM Coalition General Assembly 2026 brought members together in Istanbul for two days of reflection, exchange, and forward-looking collaboration. The gathering marked an important moment to reconnect as a network while setting a clear direction for the years ahead.

Honouring a Lasting Legacy

The Assembly opened with commemorating Beatrice Boots, whose vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping the EU STEM Coalition. Her commitment to fostering collaboration and building bridges across Europe continues to inspire the network’s mission and ambitions.

Setting the Course for the Future

Following this moment of reflection, attention turned to what lies ahead. The Secretariat presented key updates alongside an initial outline of the Coalition’s five-year strategy. Discussions, led by Rolf Schreuder and Pieter Moerman, focused on strengthening partnerships, expanding successful initiatives, and deepening the connection between education, policy, and industry across Europe.

The first day concluded with a networking and matchmaking session, where new members were welcomed and fresh ideas began to take shape through open exchange and collaboration.

From Strategy to Action

Day two shifted the focus firmly towards implementation. An inspiring opening address by former Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Ziya Selçuk highlighted the importance of education systems that effectively support learners, educators, and society as a whole.

Throughout the day, a shared message emerged: STEM education must begin early, be inclusive, and remain closely linked to real-world contexts.

Examples of effective practices from Türkiye, alongside updates from across the network, demonstrated the strong foundation already in place. The challenge ahead lies in scaling these efforts, connecting initiatives, and ensuring sustainable, long-term impact.

The Importance of Early STEM Education

A keynote by Paula Walshe underscored the critical role of early childhood in STEM education. Her message was clear: nurturing curiosity from a young age is essential to developing future talent and fostering lifelong engagement with STEM fields.

Workshops and discussions built on this theme, exploring policy recommendations, community involvement, and ways to better align education systems with societal and labour market needs.

Moving Forward Together

As the General Assembly came to a close, participants shared a common focus: translating collective knowledge into coordinated action. The event reaffirmed the strength of the EU STEM Coalition as a network built on trust, shared expertise, and a willingness to learn from one another.

With renewed energy and a clear direction, the Coalition now looks ahead to continuing its work; turning ideas into impact across Europe and beyond.

A comprehensive report and the the Powerpoint presentations from the sessions will be published on this website at a later stage.

Source: LinkedIn EU STEM Coalition

_{Published on the website: 24 april 2026}