Building global Capabilities
+++ Attendance for this year is at full capacity and by personal invitation only. If you are interested in participating next year, please send a short email to info[at]icobc.net +++
The 5th ICoBC Symposium, themed “Building Global Capabilities,” aims to address the critical need for recognizing and validating skills and experiences across borders in our increasingly interconnected world. It takes place nearby Potsdamer Platz at the Atrium Tower, Berlin.
Building on the themes of previous symposiums—“From Theory to Practice,” “The Journey of the Champions,” “Connecting the Dots,” and “Ensuring Equal Inclusion”—this symposium will explore how digital credentials can enhance the portability of skills and experiences across borders.
The “Building global Capabilities” event focuses on 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 enhance the portability of skills and experiences across borders, creating opportunities for all.
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 for the global workforce. 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 “Building global Capabilities” serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to create a more interconnected 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 global collaboration and capability-building 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.
Identity & Opportunity: A Blueprint for Global Skills
ICoBC Symposium 2025
2nd December 2025 | At LinkedIn Head Office Berlin / Atrium Tower
Symposium Chair: Nicola Vollmar | Lead Facilitator: Rolf Reinhardt
Welcome & Check-in
Session 1: The Global Landscape – Why Now?
Focus: Establishing the urgent need for global capabilities through policy, higher education transformation, and workforce readiness initiatives (15 mins input + roundtable discussion).
Kelvin Bentley (University of Texas System, USA)
A practical case study on implementing micro-credentials to enhance career readiness and meet workforce demands.
Session 2: The Human-Centered Application (Interactive Workshop)
Focus: Short, powerful talks on the real-world application of credentials from the employer, learner, and competency evaluation viewpoints, followed by a facilitated workshop (3 x 15 mins input + 75 mins workshop).
Alfonso Pacheco (E.ON, Germany)
The corporate employer’s perspective on aligning credentials with business outcomes.
Melissa Lemaire (Université de Montréal, Canada)
The crucial challenge of recognizing and evaluating informal learning.
Frank Ategeka (Asante Africa Foundation, Uganda)
The NGO perspective on youth employability and the needs of learners in the Global South.
Lunch
Session 3: The Technology Deep Dive – What’s in the Toolbox?
Focus: Exploring the research, platforms, and critical design principles—like accessibility—that underpin a functional and inclusive digital credential ecosystem (15 mins input + roundtable discussion).
Gavin Henrick (Brickfield Education Labs, Ireland)
Ensuring the technology discussion is grounded in inclusivity by focusing on accessibility and Universal Design for Learning.
Session 4: Digital Identity – From Fragmentation to Trust & Recognition
Focus: Exploring the critical role of a secure, portable digital identity as the foundation for cross-border skill recognition (20 mins insights, 10 mins live connector demo, 15 mins interactive discussion).
Pavol Hrina (ID-entity consulting, Slovakia) & Hakan Yildiz (interID, Germany)
Ensuring that the fragmented world of learner credentials and identity data can be universally understood and trusted, supporting lifelong learning pathways.
Session 5: Building the Roadmap – From Talk to Action
Focus: A forward-looking, facilitated session to synthesize the day’s discussions and chart a course for future collaboration and pilot projects (2 x 15 mins input + 90 mins discussion).
Stephanie Levy (42 Berlin + 42 Wolfsburg, Germany)
A vision for the future of tech education from an innovative, non-traditional educational model.
Mariana de Heredia (SoftwareOne, Germany; Stanford, USA)
Bridging the corporate and academic worlds to create cohesive talent strategies.
Wrap-up & Good-bye
Partners, sponsors and supporters:
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 2025 takes place at the Atrium Tower, Berlin.
