A roundtable, held on 11 October 2023 and co-organised by the Faculty of Philosophy-University of Montenegro and the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all”,  aimed to shed light on the importance of quality education accessible to all learners, regardless of their backgrounds. The event gathered around 40 participants including university professors, students, and school representatives, featuring a diverse range of presentations and discussions, all centred around the theme of inclusive education.

The discussions emphasised the role of education in achieving social justice, challenging prejudices, and dispelling stereotypes. Also, insights were provided into the development of inclusive education in Montenegro since 2000. A particularly moving presentation came from Roma and Egyptian activists and students who discussed the obstacles to Roma and Egyptian inclusion and how education can be the most effective means to overcome them.

The exchanges that followed these presentations allowed participants to engage actively in the discourse surrounding inclusive education, identify barriers, and share ideas for improving the educational system to be more inclusive.

Horizontal Facility actions in education have led to new opportunities in terms of awareness-raising nation-wide following the decision taken by the Ministry of Education in 2018 to set an official “Inclusive Day” aiming at promoting the concept of inclusive education as a reform principle - that is celebrated in the Montenegrin schools on 11 October.

The event was organised within the action “Quality education for all”, which is part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.