Date: 24th June 2026, 9.30-11.00 CET
Speakers:
- Iwona Suska, Member of the Steering group of Ouders voor Inclusie
- Kim Van Mele, Member of the Board of Ouders voor Inclusie
- Antonella Mangiaracina, Activity Manager, European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education
Description:
This webinar put the spotlight on the Belgian organisation Ouders voor Inclusie (Parents for Inclusion). Through their advocacy and practical tools, they are helping to empower parents in Flanders to ensure their children with disabilities are fully included in education and society. They do this through a mix of advocacy, policy shaping, and support. They aim to shift the narrative away from introducing children based on their diagnosis or support needs, towards highlighting holistically who is the child, what they enjoy and are good at, and what works well for them.
One practical example is the Zo Zit Ik In Elkaar (“This is what I’m like”) tool that they created. This is a digital profile builder for a child or young person, designed especially for children with additional support needs. The goal is to help others see the whole child, not just a diagnosis or school report. It’s a communication and empowerment tool for parents to present their child in a strengths-based way and support inclusive participation in school, leisure activities, and later work. Once the profile is created, parents can share it with people around the child, for example: teachers and school staff, youth group leaders or sports coaches, therapists or support workers, and more.
We also invited a reaction from the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (celebrating 30 years this year) on actions they are taking to consolidate inclusive education models in Europe, in partnership with family organisations. Antonella spoke about the importance of partnership in education, with particular emphasis on families’ involvement and the project she has been leading, Learners and Families Shaping Action. As part of this work, they developed a self-reflection tool for families of learners which Antonella presented during the webinar – see more here.
Further information
https://oudersvoorinclusie.be/
https://zozitikinelkaar.be/
https://www.european-agency.org/
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Safe and inclusive activities in COFACE
As a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination, gender equality and equality and social inclusion, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities. You can read it here in English and French, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values, acting respectfully, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity, please write to us using the complaints form.
