Meeting Challenges and Providing Opportunities Towards Inclusive Education

26. June, 4:00 p.m., Room C
Hosted by German Commission for UNESCO

Inclusive education is based on the right of all learners to quality education. Focusing particularly on vulnerable and marginalized groups, it seeks to develop the full potential of every individual. The ultimate goal of inclusive quality education is to end all forms of discrimination. According to UNESCO, in an inclusive educational system anybody – regardless of their sex, ethnicity, disability, special learning needs and social or economic background – is guaranteed equal access to high-quality education and thus can develop their personal abilities.

Education is a fundamental human right. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into force in 2008, states that persons with disabilities should be guaranteed the right to inclusive education at all levels.However, the realisation of inclusive education is progressing in different countries at different speeds.

The workshop communicates inclusive education as one of UNESCO’s central themes in the education sector. Renowned experts will present various facets of inclusive education. Florence Migeon (UNESCO, Paris) will elaborate on UNESCO’s vision and work on inclusive education. Prof. Dr. Judith Hollenweger (Zurich University of Teacher Education) will provide an overview on the state of inclusive education in Europe. Ute Erdsiek-Rave, Chairwoman of the Expert Committee “Inclusive Education” of the German Commission for UNESCO, will examine the challenges for inclusive education in Germany and present a current project of the Committee entitled “Counselling of Educational Regions”.

The workshop will certainly provide time and opportunity for discussions and further questions.

Panelists:

Erdsiek-Rave, Ute
Minister ret., Chairwoman "Expertenkreis Inklusive Bildung der Deutschen UNESCO-Kommission", German Commission for UNESCO, Germany

Hollenweger, Prof. Dr. Judith
Professor, Inclusive Education, Switzerland

Migeon, Florence
Programme Specialist, UNESCO, France

Offenhäußer, Dieter (Moderator)
Deputy Secretary General, German Commission for UNESCO, Germany