At the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, IDA, UNICEF and IDDC hosted a high-level session focus on the urgent need for systemic transformation in education, ensuring all learners, including children with disabilities, are meaningfully included. The session titled ‘From Gradual Actions to Systems Change: Transforming Education Systems to be Inclusive and Accessible to All’ focused on identifying concrete priorities for key stakeholders to accelerate the development of fully inclusive education systems globally.
José Maria Viera, Executive Director of IDA emphasised that “the tragedy of today is still having children with disabilities out of school and those in school being not meaningfully included.” He called for transformational change, stressing that inclusive education benefits not only persons with disabilities but society as a whole.
A global partnership to champion disability-inclusive education
A major outcome of the session was the launch of a new coalition led by the UK, Norway, UNESCO, UNICEF, IDA, and IDDC, joined by several global actors including the Government of South Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Global Education Monitoring Report, Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait. This “Partnership to Champion Progress in Disability Inclusive Education” will harness the collective expertise, influence, and commitment of likeminded partners to advance disability-inclusive education globally. The coalition is open to new members, including governments, civil society, and international institutions, who are ready to take action.
Key interventions
Moderated by Caroline Casey, the session also saw the intervention of Omar Abdi, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, who highlighted the importance of data to pinpoint gaps and drive informed interventions, not just within education, but across all sectors.
H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust , Minister of International Development, Norway emphasised the need to protect multilateral cooperation and recalled that inclusive education benefits not only children with disabilities but societies in general. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State, the United Kingdom, stressed the importance of sustained investment and political will to support inclusive education. H.E. Sindisiwe Chikunga, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Head of Mission, South Africa, highlighted the case of South Africa, where, limited funding, outdated structures, and poor coordination continue to slow progress in dismantling segregated education models. The transition from special schools to inclusive settings was identified as a key area requiring targeted investment and policy coherence.
Other speakers included:
- H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust – Minister of International Development, Norway
- Sir Stephen Timms – Minister of State, UK
- Omar Abdi – Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF
- José Maria Viera – Executive Director, IDA
- H.E. Sindisiwe Chikunga (speech delivered by Deputy Head of Mission, South Africa)
- Irène Esambo Diata - Minister for Persons with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Persons, Democratic Republic of Congo.
