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”.