effe welcomes the initiative to review the 2006 Framework of Key Competences for LifeLong Learning. Two areas are particularly important for the future of education - the adoption of most EU member states of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The required societal changes need new competences in order to achieve an inclusive and sustainable society. Leading European and international organizations repeatedly call for these changes and for the development of the related competences. But in both cases the very core of the needed changes remains still largely misunderstood.
A society where people have access to all facilities whatever their differences but are not co-actors is an integrative but not yet an inclusive society. Likewise, a school where all pupils are not mostly taught together with all other pupils is not inclusive but at best integrative. In addition, an inclusive school is centered on each child individually and programs are attuned to each child's specific needs.
"Inclusion, fundamentally, is existential togetherness" (Dr. Rainer Eichholz)
There are three fundamental new competences which are required for creating a fully inclusive school: benevolence, full development of human potential and ability to relate (with oneself, with others with the environment and with society).
Sustainable development requires to take fully into account in each action, the economical, the environmental and the social issues which are connected with that action. Sustainable development is based on a long term approach and requires special skills and attitudes.
"Education could be the most conductive place to foster changes of mentalities, practices and representations related to sustainable development." (Institut National de Recherche Pédagogique)
effe proposes to establish Inclusion competency and Sustainability competency and to add them to the EU key competences. Both being prerequisite for an inclusive and sustainable society.
Download the full statement paper written by Anne Charrière below. The paper has been submitted by EFFE as part of the Review of the 2006 Key Competences of the EU.
Do you have questions or are you an expert on inclusion or sustainable development and want to share your ideas? Please contact Anne.
