EENET asia Newsletters : inaugural issue JUNE 2005 Contents

Islamabad Declaration on Inclusive Education

Terje Magnussønn Watterdal and Moch Sholeh Y.A. Ichrom

On 27th April 2005 more than 40 senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Ministry of Finance, Higher Education Commission, Provincial Governments of Baluchistan, Punjab, Northwest Frontier Province and Sindh, the Governments of Islamabad, AJK and the Northern Areas, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Open University, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Braillo Norway, International Development Partners [Indonesia and Norway], Sight Savers, Hassan Academy as well as both UNESCO and UNICEF gathered in Islamabad to discuss, formulate and sign a declaration on inclusive education.
After six hours of dynamic discussions and consultations the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Social Welfare and Special Education both signed the Declaration together with all the other key stakeholders.

The signing of the Islamabad Declaration and other efforts to become more responsive to educational diversity in the country indicate that Pakistan is moving towards inclusive education.

The full text of the Islamabad Declaration is found on www.idp-europe.org/pakistan

EENET asia Newsletters : inaugural issue JUNE 2005 Contents