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Personal Reflection/Anecdote

DKG International Conference Summary:

Tampere, Finland

By Simone Nance

Context: I attended the 2023 International Conference in Tampere with my mother-in-
law and fellow Indiana Beta Alpha Chapter member, Jennifer Nance. It was my first
DKG in-person conference. This article is a summary of information I presented at
the Indiana State Executive Board Meeting in August 2023. It was such an amazing
trip that I wanted to share my experience with the city of Tampere, the conference
sessions, and the DKG women with all members in hopes that I see everyone in

Maryland in July 2024.

In some ways, this trip was like most others: We walked all over the city, we drank coffee and ate pastries,
we ate amazing meals, we figured out the
train and bus systems, we walked more,
we ate at a rooftop restaurant overlooking
the city, we used old-fashioned giant paper
maps so it was clear we were tourists, we
took lots of pictures—and this was one of
the best trips I’ve ever taken. As I travel
in general, I don’t worry too much about
other people I see because I feel like I’ll
likely never see them again anyway, right?
I attend many different conferences each
year for a variety of organizations, so the
small interactions tend to blend together
with an occasional lasting connection. But
have you ever met someone for the first
time and thought, “This is not the last time
I will see this person. Our paths will cross Exploring the city — part of conference fun!
again in the future somehow.” I had that
thought multiple times at the DKG conference in Finland in 2023, and it made me really stop and be in the
moment. In addition to enjoying the amazing history, sightseeing, welcoming people, and amazing food,
in just one short week I learned from women across northern Europe and from across the United States
about their backgrounds and current positions in education. The sessions all carried the theme of “Vitality,
Relevance, and Sustainability,” whether in the personal, professional, or DKG-organization context.

Vitality
Vitality is the state of being strong and active and having the capacity to live and develop (“Definition
of Vitality,” 2023). To kick off the conference, we heard about the Finnish education system. Educators
there ensure that students at every level understand international issues, social cohesion and solidarity,
active citizenship, sustainable thinking, and inclusivity. The four top priorities of the system are (a) the
environment and climate, (b) inclusivity and diversity, (c) digital transformation, and (d) participation in

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