The 2026 GALA Conference: The Liberal Arts in Action: Catalysts for Change, hosted by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, was a resounding success.  Representing 13 of the 18 university partners of the Global Academy of Liberal Arts and speakers and attendees from non- GALA partners, the papers focused on themes such as Interdisciplinarity in Education, Technology and the Liberal Arts, Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Sustainability and the Environment, and Global Perspectives.

The role of liberal arts education is more critical than ever in today’s globalized environment. The conference highlighted the value of liberal arts in cultivating critical thinking, creativity, innovative ideas, and insightful, engaged citizens who can drive meaningful transformation in their communities and beyond. It also explored both the challenges and opportunities that liberal arts can bring to modern society, emphasizing how education can act as a powerful catalyst for social, cultural, and global change.

The full conference programme can be found on this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13p1hp7LAOLCY2BAhn7mu_dSqy60F0l6i/view?usp=sharing