Welcome from KASSA

Dear colleagues and friends,

With great joy, we welcome you to Seoul, South Korea, and to the 2026 GELYDA International Conference taking place from June 24 to 26, 2026.

As co-hosts, we are deeply honored to host this conference in the South Korea. Under the theme “Building civic and community engagement in youth
development: a shared responsibility of schools and extended education,” the 2026 GELYDA conference will be precious opportunities to connect research and practice, and to bridge local and global in the field of extended education.

In South Korea, where the extended education has formed in the tension between community and school-centered orientation, it will provide new insights to discuss new directions of future extended education for whole development of youth. We are confident that the 2026 GELYDA conference will be an interesting meeting.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a crossroad of the history and the present of Korean society more than just a big city. Here, ultra-modern buildings blend with traditional spaces. It's also a city of education and a cultural hub, with a diverse educational institutes and collections of museums and memorials. Even a brief visit will tell fascinating stories about Seoul's unique identity, openness, and dynamics.

Please join us for this meaningful journey to discuss on the role of community and education for development and well-being of youth.

Warmest regards,

Sung-sik Kim
Professor, Seoul National University of Education
Chair-elect, The Korean After-School Study Association (KASSA)
Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of After-School Research