Since 1934, the International Bureau of Education (IBE) has organized the International Conference on Education (ICE) to promote global policy dialogue on education. ICE allows Ministers of Education, government representatives, civil society and international organizations, to actively participate in an open and constructive discussion about visions and concepts, share experiences and practices, and set agendas for concrete action in the field of education on a national and regional level.
The 48th session of ICE will focus on the theme "Inclusive Education: The Way of the Future." The long-term objective of the 48th ICE is to support UNESCO Member States is to provide social and political conditions which every person needs in order to exercise their human right to access, take an active part in, and learn from educational opportunities.
An introductory debate, focusing on the theme "From Inclusive Education to Inclusive Society," is intended to highlight the social and educational challenges of inclusive education and social inclusion.
Furthermore, four workshops will be organized on the following sub-themes:
- Inclusive education: approaches, scope and content; to broaden the understanding of the theory and the practice of inclusive education.
- Inclusive education: public policies; to demonstrate the role of governments in the development and the implementation of policies on inclusive education.
- Inclusive education: systems, links and transitions; to create education systems which offer opportunities for lifelong learning.
- Inclusive education: learners and teachers; to foster a learning environment where teachers are equipped to meet the learners' diverse expectations and needs.
A final debate on the theme "Inclusive education: from vision to practice" is intended to discuss proposals for action on an international policy agenda for inclusive education.
The OSI Education Support Program provides direct financial support for conference organization, as well as for the trip and accommodation of the authors of the papers. ESP also prepares papers for the conference and provides a rapporteur for the workshop on Inclusive Education: Approaches, Scope and Content.
For more information, please visit the conference website at www.ibe.unesco.org/en/ice/48th-session-2008.html.