International Summer School in Ancient Olympia

We are truly grateful to the International Olympic Academy for hosting and supporting our Summer School on Inclusive Education.

It was an inspiring and meaningful week in Olympia! Thank you for helping make this initiative such a memorable success!

🎨✨ On Day 3 of the International Summer School on Inclusive Education, we had the great honor of welcoming Dr. Maria Malott — Executive Director and CEO of the Association for Behavior Analysis International®.

She officially opened the day with a powerful and inspiring keynote address titled:
“How a Government Program Created a Social Revolution Through Public Murals in Mexico.”

Dr. Malott shared a remarkable story of how art, community, and behavioral science came together to promote social change, inclusion, and empowerment. Her insights reminded us that inclusive education goes far beyond the classroom — it touches culture, identity, and collective transformation.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Malott for her presence and inspiration! 🖌️🌍

🌀 “I am Antigone.” “I am Creon.” “I am the Chorus.”
Yesterday afternoon, we stepped into ancient roles during the “Creating Inclusive Art Projects” workshop led by Sofia Karakantza. Through Antigone, we didn’t just discuss inclusion—we lived it.

🎭 Each participant embodied a different character, revealing how timeless texts can spark dialogue across cultures, time, and perspectives. We connected through melody, rhythm, movement, and sound—finding common ground beyond words.

🫶 Art unites us. Theater empowers us. Inclusion is not a theory—it’s a lived experience.

Top of the Top! 🔝

Strong academics gathered at the International Summer School on Inclusive Education

From left to right:

Professor Anastasia Vlachou - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Professor Angeliki Gena - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Dr. Maria Malott - ABAI - Association for Behavior Analysis International®
Professor Apostolia Galani - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

International Summer School in Ancient Olympia

Dr. Lia Tsermidou led a hands-on session titled “Adapting Materials for D/SEN Students,” where participants explored practical tools and strategies for making learning accessible to all.

During the session, participants were divided into groups and creatively adapted famous works of art to make them accessible for blind students — an inspiring exercise in empathy, innovation, and inclusive design.

Day 2 of the International Summer School on Inclusive Education began with an inspiring seminar by Professor Anastasia Vlachou Natassa Vl Vl on “Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in practice.”

Following the seminar, the workshop “Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Practice” gave participants the opportunity to apply these principles through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios.

The energy, ideas, and collaboration in the room were truly uplifting — another step forward in building inclusive educational communities!

✨ The first day of the International Summer School on Inclusive Education concluded with an insightful and thought-provoking workshop led by Professor Panayiota Karagianni, titled “Identifying Ableist and Disablist Views, Behaviors, Policies, and Practices.”

Participants explored how these views impact educational environments and discussed ways to challenge and transform them.

The day wrapped up with an interactive session, “Community Perspectives on Inclusive Education,” also facilitated by Professor Karagianni.

A powerful end to a dynamic first day — filled with learning, dialogue, and a collective commitment to inclusion. 🌍📚

The seminar “The Principles and Benefits of Inclusive Education” by Professor Anastasia Vlachou Natassa Vl Vl provided participants with a strong theoretical foundation for understanding inclusive practices.

It was followed by the highly engaging workshop “Identifying Barriers to Inclusion and Overcoming Them”, which sparked lively discussion and collaboration.

Participants were divided into five groups and worked together to explore real and perceived barriers to inclusion in educational settings. At the end of the session, each group presented their ideas and proposed solutions, showcasing creativity, critical thinking, and a shared commitment to inclusive education.

The next session of the Summer School was an icebreaker activity titled “Building Bridges” — a creative and engaging group exercise designed by Sofia Karakantza to symbolize inclusivity, connection, and mutual understanding. Participants began by forming a circle, establishing a sense of unity and equality from the outset.

The activity fostered communication, teamwork, and the sharing of personal experiences, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the days to come. It was not only an enjoyable beginning but also a meaningful metaphor for the core values of inclusive education.

We were privileged to host Dr. Ines Alves (University of Glasgow) for the keynote address “Inclusive Education: A Journey of Transformation.”

In her engaging and thought-provoking talk, Dr. Alves explored the transformative power of inclusive education — not only its core features such as diversity, supported teachers, and effective transitions, but also the systemic changes, values, and practices needed to create learning environments where every learner feels valued and empowered.

The session set the tone for a week of meaningful exchange, reflection, and collaboration at the International Olympic Academy, under the auspices of the Δήμος Αρχαίας Ολυμπίας - Municipality of Ancient Olympia and the Περιφέρεια Δυτικής Ελλάδας / Region of Western Greece.

Thank you, Dr. Alves, for reminding us that inclusion is not just a goal — it’s a continuous journey that redefines what quality education truly means.

The Scientific Committee members of the International Summer School on Inclusive Education, Professor Anastasia Vlachou and Professor Angeliki Gena enthusiastically welcomed the participants and introduced the speakers, tutors, and mentors of the school, adding great value to the event.