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The IASE2024 Conference was organized by the International Association of Special Education (IASE) in collaboration with the f Special and Inclusive Education Unit at the Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. "We are greatly honored to have had the opportunity to organize such an important event. We believe that this conference will contribute to the development of special education and support international cooperation," said Pavel Mentlík, Dean of the Faculty.

Participants from 28 countries around the world also had the opportunity to visit several special schools and Disabled people’s organizations in Pilsen and its surroundings, providing delegates with an insight into practice in the Czech Republic. Excursions to schools and organizations took place the day before the official start of the conference, on June 27, with significant support from UWB students, who guided a total of eight groups of delegates and provided them with interpretation services.

The opening ceremony was held on Friday, June 28 at 3:00 PM. The Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Rector of UWB gave the opening speeches. There was also a cultural interlude featuring performances of both classical music and Czech folk songs by students from the Department of Music Education and Culture, as well as a performance by the band Hazband from Zbůch.

Individual presentations were given on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The program included lectures, workshops, and panel discussions that provided space for exchanging experiences and establishing new professional contacts. "The aim of the conference was to create a diverse and welcoming platform for sharing research results and examples of good practice in the fields of special education and social work. One of the main goals of the conference was to support international cooperation in special education," said Šárka Káňová, the conference chair and head of the Special and Inclusive Education Unit.

In addition to lectures and round table discussions, participants could look forward to exhibitors from schools and non-profit organizations who presented their projects and activities. The conference also featured art exhibitions by young people with disabilities from the Czech Republic, Singapore, and the USA, such as "My Life" (students involved in the research project PEDAL ), "I Hear in Color" (Martina Květová), "Years of the Demon, Spirit of the School" (Michael Bednář), "My Pilsen, My City" (students with intellectual disabilities), and the "Traveling Photo Exhibition of Children with Autism" (Ngo Procit ).

The conference concluded with a gala evening on Monday, July 1, at the Měšťanská Beseda in Pilsen, where the Cimbálová muzika Trnka performed. The event also included an auction, with proceeds going to support schools with students with special educational needs. "Thanks for organizing the entire event goes to staff and students of the Department of Education but also to the Department of Music Education and Culture, the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Technical Education, the Center for Physical Education and Sports, and the Center for Lifelong and Distance Learning at UWB," concluded Pavel Mentlík.