The Conference

The 48^th session of the International Conference on Education (ICE) will take place in Geneva from 25 to 28 November 2008 on the theme of “Inclusive Education: the Way of the Future”.

The conference represents a superb challenge and a unique occasion to advance education in the world as it assembles a highly distinguished and knowledgeable audience.

The event allows Ministers of Education, government representatives, civil society and international organisations to actively participate in an open and constructive discussion about visions and concepts and to share experiences and practices. It serves as an opportunity to set agendas for concrete action in the field of education on a international, national and regional level.

The 48^th ICE supports UNESCO Member States in providing the social and political conditions that individuals need in order to exercise their human right to access, take an active part in, and learn from educational opportunities.

 More information: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/ice/48th-session-2008.html

Why Inclusion

Inclusive education is at the core of Education for All. UNESCO defines inclusion as: “... a process of addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education … (Inclusive education) involves changes and modifications in content, approaches, structures and strategies, with a common vision which covers all children of the appropriate age range and a conviction that it is the responsibility of the regular system to educate all children.” (Guidelines for inclusion: Ensuring Access to Education for All. Paris: UNESCO, 2005)

 More information: http://www.unesco.org/education/inclusive