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GELYDA Update Letter - November 2025
GELYDA Membership Update Letter
Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,
GELYDA’s work continues to expand, and I’m excited to share our latest updates with you. We remain dedicated to collaborating with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to elevate extended learning and youth development around the world.
Below you’ll find highlights from our recent and upcoming initiatives — and as always, we welcome your feedback, ideas, and participation.
GELYDA International Conference
Planning for the 2026 GELYDA International Conference is well underway! Led by Dr. Sang Hoon Bae, GELYDA Steering Committee member, and his team at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, our global committee meets monthly to shape the event’s vision, keynotes, and content.
Please be on the lookout for the launch of the comprehensive conference website in December and call for abstracts. We want to welcome you to an amazing time in Seoul. I have been there three times and each visit I feel fortunate to learn more about the beauty of the city and the country, the history and culture and the education system–and not to forget, the fantastic culinary delights!
November Webinar
On November 5, GELYDA hosted more than 65 participants for the panel discussion, “Extended Education Staff: The People Who Make Programs for Youth Creative and Effective – Empowering the Workforce for Impact.”
The session featured insights from global experts Dr. Amreen Thompson (USA), Laurin Bremerich (Germany), and Kylie Brannelly (Australia). I had the honor of moderating the event on behalf of GELYDA Steering Committee member Linda Khanyi. A session recording was shared with all registrants, ensuring access across time zones.
Monthly Blogs
Our monthly blog series continues to share global perspectives on emerging research, policies, and practices in extended learning. Recent contributions include: “Extended Learning Through STEM: Drivers, Models, and Pathways — Lessons from Egypt” by Mohamed El Nagdi (Egypt) and “Inspiring the Next Generation: Why 21st Century Skills and STEM Engagement Matter” by Bettina Dahl Søndergaard (Denmark)
Visit our website to explore these and past articles, and stay tuned for our November installment later this month focused on Community Schools by Dr. Helen Malone (USA).
Designing Effective Learning Environments Working Groups
Led by Dr. Ludwig Stecher, GELYDA Steering Committee and Founding Member, this new working group is focused on helping educators design quality extended learning environments that foster thriving, well-rounded youth.
The group will develop and apply research-based frameworks, translate theories into practice, and advise global partners on embedding quality and effectiveness standards into extended learning programs. A core team has launched this initiative, with expanded membership planned in the coming months.
Advisory Board Update
The Association’s global Advisory Board just convened for the November meeting to discuss follow-ups from recent GELYDA activities and to explore supporting growing visibility and reach of the association and membership campaigns. We are so grateful for the contributions and guidance of these experts. To learn more about our Advisory Board members please visit our website.
December Issue of Extensions Magazine
We’re thrilled to announce the release of the second issue of GELYDA’s biannual magazine, Extensions! This edition, planned for December, focuses on the joy and impact of STEM learning in informal environments, featuring insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike.
Already in the works, our Spring 2026 issue will explore Creative Youth Development, with guest editor Denise Montgomery of Culture Thrive. If you’re interested in contributing, please reach out to me or the magazine’s co-editors, Kylie Brannelly and Linda Khanyi.
Membership Engagement
We’re eager to strengthen member involvement and amplify voices from around the world. Our Steering Committee is developing a member engagement survey to learn more about your interests and availability to participate in GELYDA activities — please keep an eye out for it in the coming months!
We also invite you to help us grow our global network. Encourage colleagues to join by visiting www.gelyda.org or sharing the QR code below. Your support and endorsement make a meaningful difference.
As always, we deeply value your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions. Please reach out anytime at gelyda.association@outlook.com — we look forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Gil G. Noam, GELYDA Chair
and members of the Steering Committee of GELYDA
Sang Hoon Bae, Professor at the Department of Education and Provost in the Sungkyunkwan University
Dale Blyth, Professor Emeritus and former Howland Endowed Chair in Youth Development Leadership
Kylie Brannelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Children’s Activities Network (QCAN) and Chairperson of the National Outside School Hours Services Alliance (NOSHSA)
Marlene Gras, Founder and Director of TierraED, Mexico City
Fuyuko Kanefuji, Professor at the Department of Human Sciences and Director of the Institute of Living Sciences, Bunkyo University
Linda Khanyi, Chief Education Specialist. Gauteng Department of Education
Kolbrún Þorbjörg Pálsdóttir, Dean of the School of Education at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik
Ludwig Stecher, Professor at the University of Giessen
