“Inclusion, Equity and Protection in Education” Conference brings together over 225 key actors to accelerate the inclusive education

More than 225 participants, including inclusion specialists, teachers and school managers, experts, children, parents, and representatives of central and local public authorities gathered today at the 5th edition of the National Conference “Inclusion, Equity and Protection in Education”. The event aimed to strengthen national and local commitment to building an inclusive education system aligned with European standards.

Throughout the day, the conference explored the priorities of an inclusive and equitable education system: Moldova’s European education pathway, key reforms, universal accessibility, integrated support services, equal opportunities in technical vocational education, and the importance of communication and community engagement in expanding inclusive educational partnerships.

The event marks the closing of the national “Inclusion Month” and reaffirms the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to advancing a modern, accessible, and European-aligned education system, one in which every child can learn and grow without barriers.

Opening the conference, Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research, highlighted the progress and determination behind current reforms:

“Today, Moldova’s education system is more inclusive than it was ten years ago, but this transformation has not been easy. It required openness from teachers and school leaders, significant effort from parents, and strong involvement from all actors in the system. Despite economic challenges, our joint work has helped build an education system that strives to ensure inclusion for every child.”

The commitment to inclusion is embedded in the National Development Plan 2025–2027 and represents a key pillar in the country’s EU accession process.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, H.E. Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for improving accessibility, strengthening support services, and modernizing Moldova’s schools. Through the programme “Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All”, implemented by UNICEF and UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research and funded by the European Union, mobile inclusion teams are being piloted in rural communities, model schools are being equipped with STEAM resources, and concrete accessibility measures are being put in place.

“Education means giving every child an equal chance in life. We must ensure that, regardless of where a child is born or whether they live with a disability, they can dream boldly and have the tools to turn those dreams into reality. Ensuring equitable access to quality education for EVERY child should be a non-negotiable feature of any modern society. The European Commission, in its recent Enlargement Report, welcomed the progress made and encouraged the Republic of Moldova to further promote inclusive education reforms to ensure equitable access to quality learning for children with special educational needs, disabilities, and social or economic vulnerabilities, including those from ethnic minorities. The European Union stands with the Republic of Moldova by investing not only in school buildings and technology, but above all in people – teachers, education professionals, and students, all students, so that no child is left behind.”

For more than 30 years, UNICEF has supported national authorities in developing an education system that leaves no child behind. In her remarks, Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the importance of intersectoral cooperation: “UNICEF’s interventions range from reforming the residential care system and supporting early inclusion, to reorganizing psychological and pedagogical assistance services and expanding professional training. The recent gap analysis shows that, despite important progress, accessibility, human resources and intersectoral cooperation still require sustained investment. Inclusive education is not a fixed destination — it is an evolving process guided by evidence, by children’s needs, and by how schools adapt to real-life challenges.”

A particularly impactful moment was the speech of Maxim Grădinari, student and young advocate for inclusion, who shared his personal story and recommendations for supporting children with special educational needs: “My story is just one of the thousands of stories of children who need access, support and trust to succeed. I was fortunate to meet people who believed in me. In the first grade, my teacher came to my home to teach Romanian, mathematics, moral-spiritual education and music. I could attend extracurricular activities only if I was accompanied. All this nurtured in me a deep desire to learn, to integrate and to belong to a community.”

The conference concluded with two award ceremonies celebrating efforts to promote inclusive education:

• “My School Is Inclusive. What About Yours?” — a national contest for students who created drawings and educational materials about inclusion. The competition was organized by the Ministry of Education and Research, UNICEF, the Republican Centre for Psychopedagogical Assistance, ARTICO, and CCF Moldova, with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom.
• “Inclusive Education Gala”, organized by APSCF, which awarded institutions demonstrating innovation and courage in advancing inclusion. The “Alexandra Grajdian” Trophy remains a symbol of excellence, courage and commitment to equitable education for all.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education and Research, UNICEF, the Republican Centre for Psychopedagogical Assistance, the Alliance of Active NGOs in the Field of Social Protection of Children and Families (APSCF) and the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation, with financial support from the European Union, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Out Loud.