Symposium on education systems transformation for and through inclusive education

Despite extensive global policy conversations about the need to meet the United Nations sustainable development goals supporting more equitable education, no nation has come close to achieving truly inclusive classrooms and school communities at scale. While some countries have made significant strides to meet the needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), nearly every country has fallen short in their efforts to develop schools as settings for full social inclusion, which requires going beyond physical inclusion to create accessible and meaningful learning settings for all, including children with IDD.   

On Thursday, April 18 the Center for Universal Education hosted its annual symposium focused on education system transformation, co-hosted this year with Special Olympics and the Global Partnership for Education. The event featured a variety of interactive in-person sessions and ample networking time. 

This symposium convened key policy and decision makers, researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing education for people with disabilities, as well as learners with IDD themselves, to address the question ”What would it take to transform education systems to be truly inclusive for learners with disabilities?” The forum sought to answer this question by elevating the voices of those who are actively engaged in advancing social inclusion for children and young people with disabilities in schools and communities across the globe, with particular emphasis on the Global South.   

Registration is required to attend an event in person and guests at Brookings are required to attest to their state of health before attending. Visitors may not enter the building if they are feeling ill for any reason, have any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and do not yet meet the criteria to resume normal activities based on current CDC guidance, or have been advised by their healthcare professional or otherwise to not enter any space where some persons may not be vaccinated.