International Forum on inclusion and equity in education – Every learner matters
The Forum will provide a platform for debate and a place
to share innovative policies, programmes and practices
to advance inclusion and equity in education.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its
focus on leaving no one behind, provides a unique
opportunity to build more inclusive, just and fair
societies. There remains challenges to ensure that all
people irrespective of sex, age, race or ethnicity, and
persons with disabilities, migrants, indigenous peoples,
children and youth, especially those in vulnerable
situations have access to life-long learning
opportunities.
Although efforts have been made to promote quality
education for all, reality does not show significant
transformation in educational systems nor policies.
How can we advance legislation, policies, programmes and
practices that ensure inclusion and equity in education?
What actions have governments taken to translate
principles into practices to ensure inclusive learning
environments? What are the recommendations that could to
foster inclusion in education? On the occasion of this
Forum, UNESCO will capitalise on its unique convening
power to give new impetus to inclusion in education in
the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
The Forum is organized on the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of the World Conference on Special Needs
Education, which was co-organized by UNESCO and the
Ministry of Education and Science of Spain in Salamanca,
Spain. The Salamanca Statement laid down the fundamental
principle of inclusion at school: ‘All children should
learn together, wherever possible, regardless of any
difficulties or differences they may have. Inclusive
schools must recognize and respond to the diverse needs
of their students”.