Quererla es crearla: A school for an inclusive society
The individuals and collectives who promote this initiative firmly believe in the need to transform and improve the Spanish education system from an inclusive perspective, with the conviction that, in doing so, we contribute to the development of a society with greater equity, one that is fairer and, therefore, more democratic.
We share the basic moral principle of considering that all human beings are equal in dignity and rights, regardless of differential characteristics in terms of gender, ability, beliefs, social status, or any other, and that these characteristics constitute the richness of human diversity through which we shape plural societies.
We affirm that this conviction in favor of inclusive education is based on an extensive body of international norms, conventions, and treaties which, in the field of human rights, forms an International Bill of Human Rights, providing legitimacy and legal backing to the aspirations that mobilize us to achieve deeper and more sustained progress in inclusive education.
We recall that the Spanish Constitution, in accordance with its article 96.1, mandates that international treaties ratified by Spain regarding human rights become part of its legal system and that, therefore, and due to their nature as higher-ranking norms, they require that lower-ranking norms (laws, regulations, or other provisions) must comply with what is established in said treaties.
We know, furthermore, the United Nations system has established as one of the main Sustainable Development Goals, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 4), the inescapable commitment for all states to advance, without delay, towards the development of quality education systems guided by equity and inclusion.
We are aware that this educational and social ambition necessarily entails a profound and systemic transformation of current education systems, through a process that must be made sustainable over time, and which will require determination, will, and effective resources, but which cannot be delayed, because the school life and future of many girls and boys who are already experiencing situations of exclusion today is at stake, and it does not accept delays.
We rely on a vast body of knowledge and research in this field, conducted with the highest level of rigor, which has demonstrated that the development of inclusive school cultures, policies, and practices is not only just and necessary but also possible and feasible, and we oppose having all of this overshadowed by false beliefs, myths, misunderstandings, hoaxes, and lies.
We demanda coherent short, medium, and long-term plan, accompanied by sustained and sufficient investment to build the necessary capacities within the system and among teachers at all educational stages. This planning and investment will allow for the creation and development of school cultures, policies, and practices that embody the values of equality, respect for diversity, and the development of freedom, so that all students, without euphemisms, can share a common space for learning and social participation, where they can feel they belong and are part of the group of children in their neighborhoods, towns, or environments, who are accepted and recognized for who they are.
We actas free and responsible citizens, untethered to economic or any other interests, except for the best interests of children and the fulfillment of the rights that all children are recognized to have.
We are convinced that we are supported by reason, legality, and an ethics that cares for the well-being, full life, and welfare of everyone, and here we declare:
We want an Inclusive Education and we are going to support every person and collective willing to create it, because this is how we advance in our humanity, and because this will be the best legacy for our sons and daughters, for future generations, and to help achieve a life in society that is dignified for everyone, sustainable, and worth living.
Endorsements
Regarding the gear
The use of a gear as an image to represent the movement for inclusive education might seem striking. The gear has often been used as a metaphor for the system (social, economic, political…), and has therefore symbolized for many people the feeling of being subjected to conditions that prevent them from fully exercising their citizenship.
The school system is no stranger to this. Even today, it continues to maintain characteristics in its structure that hinder, limit, and discriminate against certain individuals and groups. However, we are optimistic. Schools are places that can embody the best of human beings if they offer a beautiful continuity with our nature. And a gear is also a magnificent metaphor for this reality: for us, it represents delicacy, the value of detail and care, and the possibility of flowing without the need for everything to be homogeneous and identical, with each piece being important for the whole to function. This is something we have seen clearly with the pandemic, where the work of one person, or one group of people, is not enough; we need each other.
We wanted to illustrate this educational and social change with an element that transmits power to others. Inclusive education is an inexhaustible project of conquering our humanity in the relationship between adults, children, and youth. That transformation occurs with every step a person decides to take, transmitting their movement and involving others to continue in that search to live, learn, and recognize ourselves together in schools.
We can beautify the education system by taking the value of people and the most genuine teaching work. The kind we must recover from those who know that their work is precious, complex, unique, and as necessary as nourishment. We can value education once again. Replacing the metaphor of the school as a factory—in which the machinery crushes creativity, freedom, people, and our relationships—with the artisan delicacy of someone who creates watches with their hands, knowing that their work is delicate, singular, fragile, and beautiful.
Scientific support
- Bridge Project ‘Emerging narratives on the inclusive school from the Social Model of Disability. Resistance, resilience and social change’, funded by the Own Research Plan of the University of Malaga. Duration: 2018.
- R&D&I Project ‘Emerging narratives on inclusive school from the Social Model of Disability. Resistance, resilience and social change’, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RTI2018-099218-A-I00). Duration: 2019-2022.
- Special Action ‘Students for inclusion’ (AEPP01/23), funded by the University of Malaga’s Own Research Plan. Duration: 2023.
- R&D&I Project ‘Emerging narratives for the construction of inclusive schools’, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2022-140193OB-I00). Duration: 2023-2027.
- Contract FPU17/00385, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, obtained through competitive bidding by Jesús Javier Moreno Parra, September 2018-March 2023, 54 months duration.
- Contract FPU19/05477, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, obtained through competitive bidding by Luz del Valle Mojtar Mendieta, November 2020-November 2024, 48 months duration.
