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Youth committed to the education of children with disabilities
The SDG4Youth Network's Inclusive Education Working Group has recently released a policy brief highlighting the vital role of youth in promoting inclusive education. Addressing decision-makers, the brief provides key recommendations on how youth can contribute to the transformation of education, particularly in ensuring that children with disabilities are not left behind.
In this interview the authors of the brief discuss various strategies to meet the needs of learners with disabilities. Get to know the members of the Inclusive Education Working Group, including Olajuwon Afolabi, Trixie Ann Bautista, Lynda Eunice Naka bale, Nir Shrestha and Laeeq Ahemad Siddiqui.
What is the SDG4Youth Network and how can it support the transformation of education?
Laeek Ahemad Siddiqui (India): The SDG4Youth Network is a global platform of youth and students that focuses on advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The network aims to mobilize young people to advocate for and participate in the achievement of SDG 4 by sharing ideas, collaborating, and developing initiatives related to education and engaging and strengthening the voices of young people in pertinent global dialogues on quality education. Two members of the SDG4Youth Network represent youth and student constituents and participate in developing global education policies within the High-Level Steering Committee. The network is one of the key channels for working collaboratively and reviving ties between young people and key education stakeholders.
The inclusion of students and young people in discussions and decision-making on the development of the education sector has given them the opportunity to share their current challenges and ideas across the globe. In the past, youth have consistently been excluded. The Youth Declaration that was presented to the UN Secretary-General at the UN Transforming Education Summit is a great example of the inclusion of students and youth. The Declaration is the result of a comprehensive consultation process with approximately 500,000 young people from over 170 nations and territories. We hope that the SDG4Youth Network's effort will help to inform global inclusive education policies.
Why is inclusion in education important and how can youth be instrumental to make education more inclusive?
Nir Shrestha (Nepal): Globally, 240 million children have disabilities and half of them are still out of schools. Those who are at school also face barriers to access quality and inclusive education. Due to a lack of quality and inclusive education, children with disabilities are deprived from numerous opportunities. Many people still believe that including children with disabilities in regular classes is so challenging. They are therefore not very motivated to promote inclusive education.
Engaging youth is a powerful way to promote inclusive education. Young people are often familiar with the current education system and can use their voices to influence policy makers. By advocating for the necessary policy provisions and their strict implementation, youth can work to ensure that education is more inclusive and guided by the principle that all children can learn. They just need an appropriate and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, they can conduct awareness-raising activities to promote understanding and gain public support for this important issue. Youth can also take an active role in implementing inclusive education by volunteering as trainers or educators. These efforts can help create a more inclusive and equitable education system that benefits everyone.
You recently published a policy brief discussing youth’s role in promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities. What has motivated you to publish such a document and do you think it can influence decision makers and stakeholders?
Lynda Eunice Nakaibale (Uganda): I believe in the power of youth to catalyze positive change in education. Access to quality inclusive education is a human right. However, of the 240 million children with disabilities worldwide, the majority of these haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy this fundamental right. The desire to address inequalities in education and leverage our transformative power as youth to support children with disabilities to access education motivated us to publish this policy brief.
I think the document will influence decision makers and stakeholders to re-imagine meaningful youth engagement and prioritize intergenerational partnerships in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of inclusive education policies and programmes at all levels.
