Keynote Speakers
Meet the Visionaries of APDEC 2025
At APDEC 2025, we are proud to welcome an inspiring lineup of international and Indonesian speakers—visionaries, educators, and change-makers who are redefining the future of education. From global pioneers in democratic education to local innovators shaping Indonesia’s learning landscape, our speakers bring diverse perspectives, groundbreaking ideas, and real-world experience.
Get ready to engage, learn, and collaborate with experts leading the transformation of education worldwide!
👉 Explore the full speaker lineup below.
NAO Saowanee Sangkara
Thailand / Facilitator - Nature Home Builder - Founder of Film Farm School
Nao passionate about alternative way of learning living & love since her childhood. She has called herself Life-Designer, listen to her inner voice of live her own life that not defined by Mainstream and Outer. She learnt from Mistakes and her own Vulnerability to become true to herself and others. “Binsi!” is her magic spell and way to liberate her own life.
Monika Irayati
Indonesia / Founder of Erudio Indonesia
Monika Irayati is the founder of Erudio Indonesia, one of Indonesia's leading democratic schools. She connects students with relevant industries, providing a friendly and inclusive space for free development. She is dedicated to cultivating graduates who seek new insights, maintaining a learning environment open to all sources, and believes in equal learning rights for everyone. Monika is also a co-founder of the Indonesian Network of Alternative Education (JPA) and represents Indonesia in the Asia-Pacific Democratic Education Community (APDEC).
Imron Zuhri
Indonesia / Founder Erudio Indonesia
Imron Zuhri with his wife Monika Irayati, are the founders of Erudio Indonesia, a democratic school in Indonesia. Both also founded the Research Center for Future Education and initiated the Indonesian Alternative Education Network, which aims to promote and advocate the Indonesian Government on alternative and democratic education. Additionally, Imron also serves as the Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Dattabot, a startup technology company focusing in big data analytics and artificial intelligence. Imron also active as board members of several cultural and social organizations, from contemporary dance to urban poors.
Yasodhara Pathanjali
Sri Lanka / Educator
Yasodhara Pathanjali is an educator, life coach, and social justice advocate, co-founding Sri Lanka's Independent Collective School to equip students for an AI-driven future. With over 200 clients coached in parenting and empowerment, her career also includes work in the British Cabinet Office, contributing to strategic projects for the London 2012 Olympics. A passionate activist for gender equality and eco-conscious living, she was named one of Sri Lanka’s top 10 positive influencers in 2024 and delivered a TED Talk on Education for an AI Future.
Kageki Asakura
Japan / Director of Tekisen Democratic University
A renowned Japanese educational sociologist, Kageki Asakura is the founder of Tekisen Democratic University (TDU) and is known for his research on the phenomenon of "school refusal." He has been invited multiple times to serve as an educational advisor to both the Korean Parliament and the European Parliament and has authored numerous educational books. As an advocate for democratic education, Asakura is dedicated to promoting its importance and integrating it into the Japanese education system.
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Heather Yang
Taiwan / CEO of IDEC 2024
Amukta Mahapatra
India / Educator
Amukta Mahapatra is a pioneer of the democratic education movement in India. She collaborated with UNICEF to develop programs promoting educational equality, which have been implemented in public schools across ten states in India. She founded the Montessori teacher training program SchoolScape in India, helping schools design comprehensive curricula based on Montessori and democratic principles, along with related teacher development and training. Mahapatra's efforts aim to foster children's autonomous learning and self-development, providing a more inspiring and personalized learning environment. She also hosted IDEC in 2004 and 2018.
Tae-Wook Ha
Korea / Educator
A researcher and educator in the field of democratic education, Tae-Wook Ha is a professor in the Alternative Education Department at Asian Life University. He established Korea's first graduate program dedicated to democratic education. In March 2022, he was appointed as the principal of Korea's first fully democratic national school, Sinnaneun "The Exciting," for which he also designed the theoretical framework.
Tae-Wook was also the host of IDEC in 2009 and 2014.
Kaminah
Indonesia / Founder of SAKA
Kaminah is the founder of Yayasan Sanggar Anak Kita, a non-profit organization focused on fulfilling the basic rights of children from scavenger families in Bantargebang. Her background as a child from a scavenger family, who had to face various conflicts and hardships during her childhood, motivated her to fight for the well-being of children in similar situations. In 2013, she established Sanggar Anak Kita with the goal of providing care and a safe space for these children, allowing them to dream and achieve a better future.
Monika Irayati
Indonesia / Founder of Erudio Indonesia
Monika Irayati is the founder of Erudio Indonesia, one of Indonesia's leading democratic schools. She connects students with relevant industries, providing a friendly and inclusive space for free development. She is dedicated to cultivating graduates who seek new insights, maintaining a learning environment open to all sources, and believes in equal learning rights for everyone. Monika is also a co-founder of the Indonesian Network of Alternative Education (JPA) and represents Indonesia in the Asia-Pacific Democratic Education Community (APDEC).
Imron Zuhri
Indonesia / Founder Erudio Indonesia
Imron Zuhri with his wife Monika Irayati, are the founders of Erudio Indonesia, a democratic school in Indonesia. Both also founded the Research Center for Future Education and initiated the Indonesian Alternative Education Network, which aims to promote and advocate the Indonesian Government on alternative and democratic education. Additionally, Imron also serves as the Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Dattabot, a startup technology company focusing in big data analytics and artificial intelligence. Imron also active as board members of several cultural and social organizations, from contemporary dance to urban poors.