In a time of global instability, polarization, and declining trust in institutions, colleges and universities play a critical role in preparing students for meaningful engagement in an interconnected world. Through intentional, institution-wide strategies that integrate global learning across curricula, cocurricular experiences, and disciplines, higher education can reaffirm its public purpose and place global learning at the center of teaching, research, and service.

Through cross-sector partnerships—with industry, nonprofits, and local and international communities—institutions can address complex global challenges with local, regional, and national implications. Connecting global learning to workforce preparation, career readiness, and democratic and civic engagement underscores its value at a time when no single country or sector can solve these challenges alone.

The AAC&U Conference on Global Learning brings together a diverse group of stakeholders—including academic leaders, administrators, faculty, instructional designers, civil servants, and partners from community organizations, foundations, and industry—to share practical tools, innovative models, and sustainable strategies for embedding global learning into institutional missions. We welcome proposals that connect theory to practice, examine evidence-based approaches, and address the realities of funding constraints and shifting political contexts.

The 2026 Conference will highlight the full range of global learning initiatives that prepare students for work, life, and citizenship in an interconnected world. Sessions will explore:

• making a compelling case for global learning in today’s political landscape

• advancing global learning amid complexity, uncertainty, and geopolitical change

• connecting global learning to career readiness and workforce development

• positioning global learning as a tool for peacebuilding and civic resilience

• examining global learning frameworks across diverse international contexts

• developing strategies to sustain and protect global learning in challenging environments

• fostering innovation in global learning beyond technology alone

• leveraging technology to enhance the quality of global learning and engagement

• strengthening connections across institutions and sectors

• integrating intercultural competence into academic and applied learning

• expanding access to global learning for all students

• integrating global learning into high-impact practices such as community engagement and undergraduate research

• preparing students for constructive dialogue in local and global contexts

AAC&U invites educators, students, administrators, and policymakers to join action-oriented, forward-looking conversations about the reimagining the future of global learning.