The 2nd Meeting of Inclusion Officers, held online on September 19, 2023 and organized by SALTO Inclusion and Diversity in Education and Training (SALTO ID ET), brought together 43 Inclusion Officers from National Agencies across Europe, representatives from European Commission and SALTO centre for Inclusion and Diversity in Education and Youth.
Opening Insights from European Commission, Croatian National Agency and SALTO ID ET
After a warm welcome from Josip Luša, the head of the SALTO ID ET, the event commenced with inspiring speeches from key figures. Ljubica Petrović Baronica, Assistant Director at the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, highlighted the pivotal role of Inclusion Officers. Marta Gutierrez Benet from the European Commission underscored the EU’s commitment to inclusion, as horizontal priority of Erasmus+.
Tajana Krstonošić and Petra Habulin from SALTO Inclusion and Diversity in Education and Training provided valuable insights into the latest updates of the centre. Henrique Goncalves, representing SALTO Inclusion and Diversity in Youth, presented their newest tools and publication fostering inclusion.
Embracing Inclusive Thinking, Reflection on NA’s work regarding inclusion and Open Agenda
Miriam Petra Ómarsdóttir Awad, from Rannis, shared the importance of an inclusive mindset, urging attendees to go beyond policies and embrace inclusivity in every aspect of their work.
Later, attendees engaged in lively breakout sessions, sharing what works and what doesn’t in their National Agencies regarding inclusion and diversity. This interactive session encouraged the exchange of practices and reflecting on work of NA’s.
The meeting wrapped up with an open agenda, in which Sandra Mažulytė from Lithuanian NA presented A special guide for special people, for special ideas, for special experiences (4S) which provides easy-to-read guidelines for people with special needs participating on mobility projects and organizations working with them.