Globally Connected in Talent: Report from the WCGTC Conference in Braga

From July 29 to August 2, 2025, more than 450 participants gathered in Braga, Portugal, for the 26th World Conference of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC). It was the first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic; the previous two editions had been held entirely online. There had not been a physical gathering since 2017, when the conference took place in Nashville.

In the sweltering heat of Braga—located just 60 kilometers from the wildfires raging in northern Portugal at the time—participants from 54 countries across five continents came together to share experiences, present research, and gain new insights.

Education as a Driver of Talent Development

The central theme of the conference was the power of education for (cognitively) talented children and the development of talent in a constantly changing world.

“Building a school that can do more for those who learn faster, without leaving anyone behind. Excellence and Equity!”

The lectures and workshops provided space for reflection, exchange, and the strengthening of an international network of researchers, policymakers, teachers, and support professionals. There was significant attention to current challenges, but also to promising practices and innovative solutions.

Flemish Contributions to the World Stage

Six Flemish participants took an active role in the conference, including Professor Karine Verschueren from KU Leuven. On the second day, she delivered a keynote on the role of social relationships as a context for academic talent development—a presentation that drew considerable interest.

There were also contributions from other Flemish participants, such as Tania Gevaert, Annelies Thomas, Muriel Van Gompel, and myself, Ilse Verhoeven, who shared their expertise and practical experience from various perspectives.

Two Flemish anchor schools from the support program for cognitively strong learners were also present in Braga: De Broebèlschool and Middenschool Heilig Hart in Bree. The latter presented how they developed their integrated policy on student guidance, in which cognitively gifted children are an integral part.

AI and Education: Opportunities and Challenges

Dr. David Dai delivered an engaging and optimistic keynote on “Gifted Education in the Age of AI.” This theme surfaced repeatedly throughout the program and in various sessions. Discussions explored how artificial intelligence can support teachers in tailoring education to individual needs, as well as its potential to reduce administrative workload.

Some teachers are already using AI tools to efficiently design personalized support plans—for example, for students who have both strong abilities and specific support needs. Of course, the human element remains essential: dialogue with the student, assessing the context, and using technology critically continue to be fundamental.

Several speakers provided practical examples and tips that could be applied immediately in the classroom. Personally, I found the sessions on AI for twice-exceptional students particularly valuable. The presentation of Slovenian research on higher education students was also noteworthy: the results aligned closely with the TALENT study, showing that gifted students do not differ significantly from their peers in study skills, and when differences do exist, they often work in their favor.

I also took home a number of practical tips for classroom use. Unfortunately, much of the available material is still in English; there is a clear need for more Dutch-language resources. It was also striking that, while many of the insights were not new to us, other countries still have some catching up to do in certain areas. In that respect, Flanders is not doing badly at all.

Twice-Exceptional Students in the Spotlight

Another key theme this year was the focus on twice-exceptional students—children who are both gifted and have a learning or developmental disorder.

In many schools, they remain a complex group to support, but the conference also showed that knowledge and good practices in this area are steadily increasing. Inspiring examples demonstrated how these students can be successfully supported by building on their strengths rather than focusing primarily on their challenges.

Speakers emphasized the importance of a strengths-based approach: by starting from what students can do, you create space for confidence, motivation, and growth.

Giftedness Doesn’t End in Childhood

Although the conference was mainly focused on children and young people, the adult population was also addressed.

There were sessions on giftedness among higher education students, challenges faced by women in the workplace, and the importance of creativity and innovation in professional environments. This highlights that talent development has no endpoint—it deserves attention throughout life.

Save the Dates: Ljubljana and Dublin

The next WCGTC World Conference will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from August 23 to 27, 2027. But first, next summer we head to Dublin for the biennial ECHA Conference, taking place from August 12 to 16. Flanders will no doubt be represented there once again.

Copyright © 2025 Ilse Verhoeven – All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author. Sharing online is permitted provided the author is credited and a link to this article is included.