1. Welcome from the Nordic Countries

Members of the national Montessori associations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland open the conference with reflections on the Montessori educators and pioneers who have shaped their own journeys within the movement.

2. Welcome from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)

Dr. Alain Tschudin, President of AMI, extends his welcome.
Dr. Tschudin holds a PhD in Psychology, is a professor at the University of Cambridge, and serves as UNESCO Chair on Education for Peace and Transformative Solidarity.

Founded by Maria Montessori herself in 1929 in Helsingør, AMI represents the international voice of Montessori education. The conference’s location — Marienlyst Strandhotel, where Montessori once stayed — is therefore a deeply symbolic choice, taking us back to the very place where AMI was born nearly 100 years ago.

3. AMI’s Development and Its Connection to the Nordic Region

Lynne Lawrence, Executive Director of AMI, will share insights on AMI’s evolution from 1929 to today — and explore its historical and ongoing relationship with Denmark and the Nordic countries.

4. Montessori from Birth

Tiina Suominen, AMI-trained Montessori educator from Finland, will present how Montessori principles support the youngest children — from birth to age 3 — and how we can best meet their developmental needs in early childhood settings.

5. EsF Children at Risk

Dinny Rebild

6. Workshop: Children with Special Needs, Challenges, and School Avoidance

Elena Espas, AMI-certified 6-12 teacher also works with children with challenges such as school refusal,

A former software engineer turned educator, Elena brings a unique perspective on how Montessori principles help children rediscover joy and balance in their learning environments.

7. A Path to Recognition

Nina Johansen, Director of Montessori Norge since 2015.

8. Starting a Montessori Dream from Scratch

Karin Schurian – Director, International Montessori School Copenhagen
Isabel Lisack – Director, Montessori International Preschool
Miroslava Vicková – Director, Montessori Institute Prague (infant community, preschool, school, and teacher training institute)

Three women who shared the same dream — to create the best possible school for their own children — come together to share their stories. They will discuss their journeys, challenges, victories, and financial realities, offering authentic insight into what it takes to establish and sustain a Montessori school today.

9. Montessori Sports – A Child-Centered Approach to Physical Education

Patrick Oudejans, worked at the AFC Ajax youth academy for 4 years as a member of the 'talent development' department and is an UEFA licensed youth coach with more than 11 years of coaching experience. In addition he has a Honours Bachelor degree in Sports Management at the University of Amsterdam. In 2017 he became Project Manager of Montessori Football China and he is certified a Montessori Football trainer. He specialises in creating an environment with room for constant changes and improvements, based on the individual needs of children.

10. Montessori in Old Age and Dementia Care

Carolyn Magnussen from Norway brings over 30 years of experience as a Montessori teacher and special educator. In recent years, she has specialized in applying Montessori principles in elder care and dementia support.
She is the founder of Montessori Care, which develops materials and tools for caregivers and relatives of people with dementia, and author of the 2025 book “Montessori Environmental Treatment: Meaning, Mastery, and Joy for People with Dementia.”
Carolyn will share how the Montessori philosophy can bring dignity, purpose, and wellbeing to individuals living with dementia.

11. Montessori Architecture – A Legacy in Design

Steve Lawrence, architect and author of “Montessori Architecture: A Design Instrument for Schools,” explores how Montessori’s ideas have influenced school architecture worldwide. Steve will talk about Montessori Architecture and Art during the interwar period.