IRC Meeting in Trento Wrap up

This year, the AEC Annual Meeting for International Relations Coordinators (IRC) 2026 reached its 26th edition! The event was held from the 2nd to the 5th of September at the Conservatorio di Musica “F.A. Bonporti” di Trento e Riva del Garda (Italy), bringing together 230 participants from 36  countries for a rich programme of workshops, presentations,  discussions, and networking sessions around the theme Common Ground – Diverse Pathways.

Wednesday, 2nd September

The meeting opened with the EASY workshop, which this year had a special reason to celebrate: 10 years of EASY (European Online Application System for Mobility among Higher Music Education Institutions). After a plenary session on the latest ESCI+ (European Student Card Initiative) and EASY MO developments, participants split into parallel simulations on:

  • The EASY MO application process
  • BIPs and the Digital Learning Agreement

The afternoon closed with smaller groups for open questions on EASY MO, a hands-on workshop on letter templates, and a focus group on staff mobility.

The day ended as it should: with a toast and a cake for EASY’s 10th anniversary.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

Thursday, 3rd September

Thursday morning offered three pre-conference workshops:

  • AI in International Relations Offices, on practical applications, automation and responsible use, led by Olivier Dubois
  • Project Writing, in two levels: a beginners’ workshop on KA171 and BIP applications, and an advanced workshop on Erasmus+ KA220-HED and Horizon Europe, led by experienced colleagues from the IRC community
  • Lost in Translation? Turning Intercultural Moments into Action, led by members of the AEC DEI Panel of Experts and DEI Allies

Photo by Lucio Tonina

Newcomers were then welcomed by the IRC Working Group with an introduction to AEC and IRC activities and the launch of this year’s Buddy System, pairing first-time participants with experienced colleagues. Those who wished could also join a tour of the Conservatorio with its Director, Calogero Di Liberto.

The Opening Session began with chamber music, followed by welcome words from representatives of the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Conservatorio, the IRC Working Group and the AEC.

The first AEC Talk, Building Cross Continental Collaborations, looked at how AEC members work together at global level, drawing on results from the IRC Survey 2026. A case study from the Conservatorio di Palermo followed: “Piano World. Soul Roots Benefits”, a KA171 project connecting Palermo with partners in India, Nigeria and the United States, presented by the IRC Consuelo Giglio.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

After a round of Speed Dating, the afternoon continued with parallel sessions, each offered twice:

  • Flexible Learning Pathways with the IN.TUNE Alliance
  • AI in HMEIs International Offices
  • Transition into the Profession
  • Hope Beyond Borders: the Ukrainian Experience
  • Managing BIPs
  • Whose Safe Space? When Institutional Rules Meet Cultural Reality

In the evening, the AEC BIP Orchestra and the AEC BIP Choir Trento 2026 took the stage in the Auditorium with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

The day concluded with a welcome dinner at the MUSE Science Museum.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

Friday, 4th September

Friday opened with the second AEC Talk, Going Global. Finn Schumacker, AEC Executive Director, presented the AEC Global Strategy, followed by a keynote by Adam Lipski (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences) on how international offices can prepare for critical situations, from risk assessment to supporting travelling students and staff.

After updates on ESCI+, the Information Forum gave the floor to short pitches on future projects.

The Information Market and Match Making sessions then gave participants time to explore each other’s projects and meet potential partners.

In the afternoon, discussion groups took on a wide range of topics:

  • No Stupid Questions about Erasmus
  • Students from EU enlargement countries, in conversation with students themselves
  • Seamless Mobility – discussion on issues related to the management of mobility
  • IT tools introduced by IRCs to gain efficiency in international offices
  • Green Mobility in higher music education
  • AI in Music Education and Practice

Participants then moved to Riva del Garda for the networking activity, with a visit to the Conservatorio’s Riva del Garda site and a boat trip on the Garda Lake.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

Saturday, 5th September

The final day began with the third AEC Talk, Focus on Enlargement Countries. Ivana Perkovic (University of Arts in Belgrade) spoke about cooperation, resilience and artistic freedom in higher music education, and about how European institutions and networks can offer meaningful support to colleagues working in challenging contexts.

Discussion groups then met again in a mixed format, joined by new sessions on transnational academic networks in times of political turmoil and a Safe & Brave Space, with a Quiet Room open alongside. Participants also shared their reflections and ideas for future editions.

The 2026 IRC Annual Meeting concluded with a closing session, where it was announced that the next IRC Annual Meeting will be hosted by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, UK,, from 8 to 11 September 2027. And to finish, participants shared food and drinks brought from their home countries.

Photo by Lucio Tonina

Thank you!

AEC sincerely thanks the Conservatorio di Musica “F.A. Bonporti” di Trento e Riva del Garda, in the person of the IRC Massimiliano Mainolfi,  the IRC Working Group, all speakers and moderators, and every participant for making this year’s meeting such a success. We look forward to finding more common ground together, along many different pathways.