+++ we are fully booked out +++
Partners, sponsors and supporters:
Ensuring equal Inclusion
The 4th ICoBC Symposium is focused on the theme of “Ensuring equal Inclusion,” which explores the importance of creating a level playing field for all learners, regardless of their background or circumstances. This theme builds on the previous symposiums, “From Theory to Practice“, “The journey of the champions“, and “Connecting the dots“, which emphasized the need to bridge the gap between theory and practice, celebrate the successes of digital badges and verifiable micro-credentials, and connect stakeholders across the ecosystem.
Ensuring equal inclusion is particularly important when it comes to the design and adoption of digital badges and verifiable micro-credentials globally – and look for a more ubiquitous recognition. Digital credentials have the potential to transform the way we validate learning and uniqueness, but only if they are designed and implemented in a way that is equitable and accessible to all. Without doubling down on equal inclusion, some learners may be left behind, perpetuating existing inequalities and hindering progress towards a more just and equitable society.
The “Ensuring Equal Inclusion” event is a beacon of hope and progress in the realms of digital credentials, micro-credentials, open badges, digital badges, skill inventories, skill wallets, and digital identity. It brings together thought leaders and innovators to explore how these digital tools can break down barriers and create opportunities for all. From Martin Hall’s compelling keynote on leveraging micro-credentials in education to Anna Derinova-Hartmann’s insights on empowering migrants through digital solutions, the event underscores the transformative power of technology in fostering inclusivity and equity.
Throughout the day, participants will delve into good practices, global insights, and innovative frameworks that highlight the importance of recognizing and validating diverse learning and professional experiences. The sessions and workshops are designed to inspire action and collaboration, emphasizing the need for flexible, secure, and accessible systems that support lifelong learning and equitable access to opportunities. By focusing on real-world examples and practical solutions, the event aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change in their own contexts.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the theme of “Ensuring Equal Inclusion” serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to create a more just and inclusive world. The discussions and insights shared at this event will not only illuminate the path forward but also inspire a renewed commitment to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our lives. Together, we can harness the potential of digital innovations to build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Program
Time (CET)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM
Title
Registration & Networking
Opening Remarks, introduction & expectation setting
Keynote: Leveraging the power of Micro-Credentials to ensuring equitable access to education
by Martin Hall (Emeritus Professor, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town
Non-Executive Director, Advanced Secure Technologies)
Martin Hall underscores the critical importance of providing fair and inclusive educational opportunities in today’s competitive knowledge economy. He highlights pervasive examples of exclusion, from petrol pump attendants in South Africa to refugees from conflict zones like Syria and Gaza, and regional disparities in higher education participation. Hall advocates for flexible curriculum structures, next-generation credit accumulation and transfer systems, and secure methods for verifying achievements to build personalized learning pathways. He emphasizes that micro-credentialing can transform education by focusing on demonstrated competencies rather than traditional status rankings, offering a significant step towards equitable access to competency-based qualifications for all.
10:25 AM – 10:45 AM
Keynote: Inclusivity and Recognition in Labour Migration
by Anna Derinova-Hartmann, Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships Lead at IOM – UN Migration
In her presentation titled “Empowering Migrants: Equity and Inclusion through Digital Solutions,” Anna Derinova-Hartmann, Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships Lead at IOM – UN Migration, will explore how digital solutions can play a pivotal role in supporting equitable labor migration pathways. She will discuss how leveraging digital tools can enhance migrants’ integration into the labor market, improve access to employment opportunities, and facilitate smoother transitions through complex bureaucratic processes. By focusing on digital strategies that support language training, professional development, and community engagement, Anna will highlight how these solutions can contribute to a more inclusive environment for migrants, ensuring their skills and qualifications are effectively recognized and utilized.
Furthermore, the presentation will emphasize the crucial role of private sector partnerships in advancing these initiatives. Anna will illustrate how collaboration with the private sector can drive impactful programs that support labor migration pathways, creating opportunities for employment, skill recognition, and socio-economic integration, thereby reinforcing IOM’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for migrants.
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Morning Break
Session 1: Global Insights, Best Practices and Frameworks
Input 1: Building a Consensus for non-accredited learning: bringing stakeholders to the table at a national level to discuss the future of Digital Badging for the UK
by Patrina Law, Lifelong Learning Lead at The RSA
Patrina will discuss the importance of building a movement towards greater acceptance and implementation of digital badges, emphasizing their role in recognizing and rewarding lifelong learning. She will address the challenges and opportunities in ensuring the quality and interoperability of these credentials at a national scale, and make a compelling case for a lifelong digital record of learning. Problems that are being addressed by the UK Digital Badging Commission.
The presentation will also examine the feasibility of applying quality assurance frameworks to digital badges, enabling them to support flexible learning pathways in line with lifelong learning entitlements. By focusing on the theme of “Ensuring Equal Inclusion,” Patrina will highlight how digital badges can help bridge existing inequalities in work and skills and promote a more just and equitable society, ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities for growth and development.
Input 2: Quality Label for Badge Recognition
by Nerijus Kriauciunas, Partnership Development at AWERO
Nerijus will present the Quality Label for Badge Recognition, a pioneering initiative addressing the need for non-formal recognition organizations to self-define and achieve greater recognition of digital Open Badging programs. This initiative, developed by the Cities of Learning Network, promotes open, accessible, and inclusive learning and recognition opportunities across more than 50 locations. By working with non-formal education organizations and learners facing various obstacles, the network has demonstrated the benefits of inclusive recognition. With over a decade of experience in non-formal learning and digital Open Badges, the Quality Label for Badge Recognition aims to achieve greater external recognition for learning outcomes, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities and adults struggling to keep up with life demands. This fall, the Quality Label for Badge Recognition will be offered to organizations promoting community volunteering, digital inclusion, and youth employment.
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Break-Out Discussion
Topic: Equitable Design and Implementation of Digital Badges
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Lunch
Session 2: Technology, Tools and Concepts
Input 1: Empowering Migrants: MigrateMate’s AI-Powered Solution for Seamless Integration
by Jude Temianka, Strategy Director at Accenture
Jude Temianka presents the MigrateMate project, which aims to revolutionize migration by leveraging AI to bridge information gaps throughout immigration journeys. Supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees, and Integration, MigrateMate addresses significant global challenges such as rising migration rates and shrinking labor forces. The project highlights the barriers to migrant integration, including application errors, lack of curriculum standardization, and language proficiency demands, which cost the EU up to €20 billion annually. MigrateMate aggregates information from thousands of immigration websites and platforms, providing a comprehensive AI solution capable of answering any migration question. The chatbot offers personalized country and job matching, document upload and processing, and integration with various tools to support migrants in their relocation and daily lives. The presentation will highlight the potential but also what is still missing to support migrant’s journeys with digital credentials.
Input 2: interID – An Interoperable Verfiable Credential Verifier
by Hakan Yildiz, Tech Innovation Strategy Manager at Accenture
The realm of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) is in its early stages of development, with its adoption still progressing. The most advanced implementations, such as the Bhutan eID project and state-level Canadian eID projects, are currently being executed on a relatively small scale. In Europe, initiatives like the EU Digital Wallet and the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) are transitioning from proof of concept to operational readiness, aiming to support a wide range of use cases.
This presentation will introduce interID – an adaptable and comprehensive platform designed to verify Verifiable Credentials (VCs) across various SSI technology stacks. This service is strategically crafted to deliver reliable validation results to service providers, even those unfamiliar with SSI, thereby providing an accessible entry point into SSI as an extension to their existing identity and access management systems.
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Afternoon Break
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Workshop Session: Developing a Visual Badge Framework by Ensuring Equal Inclusion
by Andreas Hörfurter, Managing Director at common sense eLearning & training consultants
The “Developing a Visual Badge Framework: Ensuring Equal Inclusion” workshop session, to be held during the 4th ICoBC Symposium and facilitated by common sense eLearning & training consultants GmbH, aims to collaboratively discuss and finalize a visual badge framework based on the qualified submissions received from ICoBC’s and eAA’s Call for a Visual Taxonomy for Badge Design – with a focus on inclusion and equity.
Over 1.5 hours, the workshop will include a comprehensive overview of visual badge taxonomies, showcasing previous work from GIZ atingi, TUI Care Foundation, and ITCILO, and explaining various badge types. Participants will engage in an interactive session to provide feedback on an initial prototype and participate in group activities to design badges based on given scenarios. The workshop will conclude with discussions on workflow, timelines, deliverables, and next steps, ensuring that the developed framework aligns with the symposium’s theme of creating inclusive learning environments and equitable professional development opportunities.
4:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Participants:
Rita Fennelly-Atkinson, Senior Director, Credentials at Digital Promise
Jude Temianka, Strategy Director at Accenture Song
Nicola Vollmer, Learning & Development Consultant, Communications Plus
Ben Kaminsky, Founder & CEO, EVA.AI
Sue Martin, Member of the Board, eAA
5:15 PM – 5:30 PM
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Reception
Registration & Payment
+++ we are fully booked out +++
Become a sponsor for the 5th ICoBC Symposium 2025
Organizations that are working in this field have a unique opportunity to showcase their commitment to ensuring equal inclusion and supporting learners from all backgrounds. Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who want to demonstrate their leadership and contribute to the ongoing conversation around digital badges and verifiable micro-credentials.
Previous sponsors and supporters include Accenture, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Speexx, Lightcast / Emsi Burning Glass, Dataport, and relevantive. As a sponsors, you gain the following benefits:
- 2 complimentary registrations at the Symposium
- Hyperlink with company name and logo on the official 2025 Symposium web page
- Company name on promotional emails
- Logo/listing in the ICoBC onsite program as an official sponsor
- Logo displayed on banner at event entrance
- Logo displayed in video recordings
If you want to become a sponsor of the 2025 Symposium, please send us an email.
Participants of previous Symposiums
Organisations:
Access Microfinance Holding AG, AccessHolding, America Succeeds, ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, Atlantic Technological University, Australian Catholic University, Badge Europe, Bayer, Bildungsplattform der WKO GmbH, Bloom Foundation, BMBF, Bookt, Brigham Young University, CanCred by Learning Agents, Certif-ID International OHG, CGFNS International, Concentric Sky / Badgr, Credential Engine, Credivera, CredShare, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Digitary, Education Design Lab, Education in Motion, E-duProof UG, eLearning Africa, Emsi Burning Glass, Essential Skills Program, Fachhochschule Münster, FAO, Forever Day One (4ed1 GmbH), Gear Up, George Washington University, German Testing Board e.V., Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ZDH, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, Humanitarian Leadership Academy, ICDE, ICoBC, imc AG, Institute of Technology Sligo, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jumia, kcg.edu, Knapp & Associates Int’l, Lightcast, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NAEC, Open University UK, Proctorio GmbH, RANDA Solutions, Regione Emilia-Romanga, relevantive GmbH, Seneca College, Speexx, SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Stifterverband, Studieorganisasjon Folkeuniversitetet, T3 Innovation Network, Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Technische Universität Berlin, The Open University, TU Berlin, TÜV Rheinland International GmbH, University of Huddersfield, University of Kentucky, University of Maine System, UNSSC, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Visions, Western Governors University, World Bank
Job Titles:
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, Assistant Professor, CEO, CGO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder, Consultant, CTO, Dean, Director, Director Business Development, Director Strategic Partnerships, Director UK Higher Education, Director, Digital Credentials Research & Innovation, Education Designer, Micro-Credentialing, Education Futures Architect, Employment Counselor, Entrepeneur, Founder, Geschäftsführer / Managing Director, Global Head PersCertification, Head of Issuing Authorities, Head of Marketing, Head of Online Learning Innovation, Head of Online learning Student Experience, Head of Platform & Blockchain Development, Head of Product, Instructor, Lead Engineer, Learning Specialist, Manager, Digital Authentication, Managing Director, Network Facilitator/Senior Scholar, Partnerships & Projects, PM, Policy Advisor, President, Product Manager Verifiable Credentials, Professor, Professor, Dr., project coordinator, Project Lead, Project Manager, Provost, Research Professor and co-director, PSCWP, Researcher and project manager, Sales consultant, Senior Account Director, Senior Desk Officer Digital Credentials, Senior Director, Senior Project Manager, Sr. Director, Sr. Staff Development and Learning Assistant, Team Leader Testing, Teamleader, Vice President of Partnerships, VP, Workforce Intelligence & Credential Integrity
The venue
The ICoBC Symposium 2024 takes place at the Atrium Tower, Berlin.
