Call for think pieces on inclusive education
UNESCO is celebrating inclusion in education and is launching a call for think pieces in the run-up to the 30th Anniversary of the Salamanca Statement, which will be celebrated on 13 March 2024 through a high-level policy dialogue, followed by the Global Inclusive Schools’ Forum on 14-15 March.
The Salamanca Statement, adopted in 1994 at the World Conference organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Science of Spain, established the fundamental principle of inclusion at school: “All children should learn together, wherever possible, regardless of any difficulties or differences they may have”. Participants at the Salamanca Conference deliberated on the essential policy shifts needed to advance inclusive education, namely ensuring that schools serve all children, particularly those identified as having special educational needs.
Since then, the concept of inclusion has broadened, emphasizing the need to reach all learners, on the premise that every learner matters equally and has the right to receive relevant, equitable and effective educational opportunities. This includes the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities irrespective of gender, race or ethnicity, ability, migrant status, or other characteristics.
In this way, the high-level policy dialogue, entitled “Every learner matters and matters equally: making education truly inclusive”, will bring together high-level representatives from ministers of education and senior representatives of ministries on 13 March 2024 to facilitate policy dialogue on how countries are prioritizing and fostering this comprehensive approach of inclusion in education. On the following two days, the Global Inclusive Schools’ Forum, co-organized with International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners, will convene practitioners from different regions of the world and provide them with a space to share experiences and highlight promising and innovative practices that will be channeled to policymakers and key stakeholders.
The two events, both held at UNESCO Headquarters, will highlight efforts by governments and partner organizations to advance inclusive educational policies and practices and encourage synergies between practitioners, schools, and communities at local, regional, and global levels around the following areas: the role of teachers in inclusive classrooms and schools, the learning environment, the role of parents and communities, the use of assistive technology and the transition from school to labour market.
With the objective of cultivating collaborative efforts and incorporating multiple viewpoints, we invite thinkers, researchers, educators, and practitioners working on education and related fields to submit contributions from through 500-700 word think pieces that explore, from different perspectives, the questions below:
- In your view, what challenges and barriers prevent education systems from being truly inclusive?
- What knowledge gaps would have to be further researched to better support the development and implementation of inclusive educational policies and practices?
- How can research support inclusive classrooms and schools by ensuring inclusive pedagogy and supporting teachers?
These contributions will support the work of UNESCO and the broader education community in developing knowledge basis on inclusion in education.
Submissions that support UNESCO Global Priorities, Africa, and Gender Equality, are welcome, and please feel free to disseminate this call among your own networks.
Think pieces can be written in English, French or Spanish.
Submit your think piece
by 5 March 2024.
Selected submissions (including excerpts) may be made publicly available.
Should you have any questions, kindly contact inclusion@unesco.org and unitwin@unesco.org.