The International Mentoring Conference is a prominent event dedicated to fostering the exchange of ideas, expertise, and experiences within the mentoring community. During this conference, creators of diverse mentoring programs from a wide range of institutions, both private companies and public organizations, come together to showcase their initiatives. At the same time, professionals and organizations seeking to implement or enhance mentoring programs in their own settings attend to explore innovative approaches and solutions.
Each year, the conference is held in a different country, offering a dynamic platform for international collaboration. This global rotation ensures a rich diversity in the types of programs presented, exposing participants to a wide variety of mentoring strategies across different industries, cultures, and institutional types. Moreover, the event promotes stronger connections between program creators and users, encouraging partnerships that can enhance mentoring practices worldwide.
By bringing together creators and users, the conference serves as a critical junction for networking, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of new mentoring models tailored to the unique needs of each organization.
(Note: The term “organization” refers to both private companies and public institutions.)
Simultaneously, organizations face the unique challenge of managing a workforce spanning five generations, particularly in medium and large enterprises. This generational diversity requires a seamless transfer of knowledge and information to navigate the daily complexities of work, making it a core process within organizations. Consequently, there is a growing need for tailored mentoring programs to meet these demands. In these modern mentoring initiatives, the traditional roles are often redefined. Younger mentors, typically more proficient in digital technologies, guide their older colleagues, while more experienced employees pass on valuable insights and wisdom accrued over decades of practical experience. This dynamic creates a mutually beneficial exchange, enhancing both individual and organizational growth.
To recognize mentoring programs developed in Slovenia, the first Mentoring Conference event was held in 2017, showcasing over 17 programs—a significant number for such a small country. Given that many of these organizations were already globally focused, the event naturally expanded to foster international collaboration. As a result, the inaugural International Mentoring Conference was held in Slovenia, with plans for future conferences to be hosted in a different country each year.
