Global Classroom Conference 2026
The Conference
A week of KINDNESS!
May 31-June 8 2026
Ånge, Sweden
The theme of our conference is "kindness" – something we need very much all over the world today! We will explore what we mean by it and how it is expressed at local, national, and international levels. We´ll discuss acts of kindness, and their impact and importance to society. The conference will also touch the core values and norms within our cultures regarding this topic, and how they might differ across countries.
So why is kindness important? A short video with Simon Sinek gives one answer - let us find out more together at the conference!
The goal of all Global Classroom conferences is to get new knowledge, a wider perspective, a better understanding for our differences and a LOT of new, wonderful friends from all over the world. How could we not, if we´re being kind to each other?!
As Matthew Phillipps, a former Global Classroom coordinator and teacher at Lake G, Australia has said: “Global Classroom is a great learning experience. lt is more than the conference, it is the engagement with students from other schools, it is the learning and sharing of other cultures that is the greatest benefit.”
Let´s have a great time together - welcome to Ånge!
Theme 2026: Kindness
What is kindness? And why is it important?
Here are some examples where the term "kindness" is used, discussed or intended.
Look and listen as a general introduction to the theme and tasks.
1. Every day, be nice to a stranger by Wayne Dyer
2. Everybody deserves hope by Maxine Meixner.
4. The friendship bench and the grandmothers, PBS NewsHour.
5. Randy Pausch´s last lecture: 10 life lessons (very short, not the original speech).
6. The science of kindness - a good mix!
80
8
8
1000
Participants
Countries
Days
Thoughts
Task 1: Introduction
Let us know who you are!
Task 1 is to make a short video where you present the members of the group, both students and teachers.
We also want to see some of your school, village/town/city and surroundings.
- The presentation should last 3-5 minutes.
- The video must be TEXTED if you talk, and we also want you to write out your names.
- It's best to film with your phone in landscape format.
- Have fun! :)
Deadline: March 1. Submit your presentation here.
Task 2: KINDNESS
Task 2 is your major task.
Watch these videos as an introduction and help for Task 2:
1. The extraordinary power of kindness /BBC Ideas
2. TED TALK - Acts of kindess cards - Orly Wahba
We are going to explore the concept of kindness. The assignment has several parts that you will work through and then present in a PowerPoint presentation.
Some parts of your presentation can include videos.
Everyone in the group should help and speak during the presentation.
Remember! Your PowerPoint is just a support, you are the ones presenting.
Don’t use long texts that you only read from the slides!
Use your slides as a structure with images, short facts, videos and summaries for your talk.
Deadline: May 1. You upload it and send the link through this form.
Let´s get going! Follow the instructions in the document and the presentation will soon be done (or, pretty soon 😉). Have fun! /Susanne
Task 3: Multinational task
This task will be assigned for completion during the conference in Sweden.
Task 4: Dance and music
Let´s have fun!
Your group is to present a song/dance to make you feel good! It should be inclusive and get everybody up on the dance floor! It may highlight your traditions and cultures or the current cultural trends - you choose!
This will be performed at our closing ceremony OR at another time - not decided yet!
If you want us to play your music, you must send your Youtube/Spotify-link to susanne.lovgren@ange.se Deadline: May 1.
Task 5: Cooking
One evening, we will cook together! Each country group will prepare a traditional dish from their culture to share with everyone.
There will be around 80 participants in total. Please note that you are not expected to prepare full-size portions for everyone. Instead, each group should make small tasting portions, so that all dishes together create a shared buffet where everyone can enjoy a variety of foods.
We will ask each group to provide a shopping list and let us know if any special equipment is needed. We also recommend that you bring your own herbs and spices to ensure the dish tastes authentic.
If your group includes participants with special dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance, or coeliac disease), please plan to prepare enough suitable food for them, as not all groups will be able to adapt their dishes to meet these needs.
We are really looking forward to tasting your dishes!
Documents
Here you will find current documents (apart from the tasks).
The page is updated continuously.
Profile form (email to teacher when done).
Checklist
About Ånge
and Sweden
If you want to know more about Sweden in general, we have gathered some links for you below. Some are more serious, some are just for fun...enjoy!
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Stereotypes about Swedes: Guess you´ll find out if they are true in June! ;)
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A small movie about our "allemansrätt": A freedom to roam/explore our nature. It´s on fb so it might not work for everyone!
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Al Pitcher tries Swedish things: "Surströmming" is a traditional dish from our part of Sweden - yes, it´s fermented/kind of rotten herring...if you will have to taste it? Well that will be a surprise, won´t it...
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The Local: A newsletter primarily written by non-Swedes.
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Swedish freak: Both information and fun facts.
We are very happy to welcome you here!
Below you will find some practical information about travelling to Ånge, followed by useful information about our community.
1. Travelling to Ånge.
The easiest way to travel to Ånge is by train from Stockholm. If you are flying into Sweden, trains heading north stop at Arlanda Airport, so you can travel directly from the airport without going into the city.
The journey takes approximately 3.5–7 hours, depending on the train you choose. At the moment, the exact train schedules are not yet visible to us, but your travel agency should be able to assist you. We recommend arriving in Stockholm/Arlanda in the morning, as there are usually several train departures to choose from during the day.
Student train tickets typically cost around 40–70 USD, depending on how early you book (prices increase closer to the travel date).
For your return journey, a morning departure is usually best, as there is often a faster train available. However, the exact schedule cannot be confirmed yet.
2. For information about our community, our tourist information webpage is here (it should be in English, if not, just change language at the right top corner).
As for Ånge, it´s a small village. We have some restaurants and stores where you can buy grocery, locally produced food and souvenirs, books, clothes/shoes, ”outdoor equipment” and liquor (you know we have special stores for that? You´re allowed to buy from the age of 20, from 18 in a restaurant. Since the conference is non-alcoholic it doesn´t matter to you, but the teacher in me took over) .
Ånge is the geographical midpoint of Sweden, situated between Östersund and Sundsvall (100 km each way, approx 1,5 hrs by car or train). Östersund has 60 000 inhabitants, Sundsvall 85 000.
In Ånge, we´re 9000 in the whole community, but maybe 2000 live "kind of" close to the center. Actually we have two ”main centers”, one in Ånge and one in Fränsta (20 min apart).
There are around 70-80 kids born each year (too few really for populating our high school, which is a problem). If you look at a map of Sweden, you have about 9 million people living up to the north ”border” of Stockholm (2 million in Sthlm), and less than 1 million in the rest of the country up north. So you will see more trees than people when you get here...the rest, you´ll soon find out for yourself!
Take the oppportunity to ask your hosts if you have questions :) .
Sponsors
Contact
Please contact us if you have any questions!
