Today in Almaty, the first World Inclusion Congress (WIC 2025) commenced. The congress will run from October 15 to 17.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Almaty city akimat (administration), the HOPE Foundation (Help Others Pursue Education, Kazakhstan), and the international organization International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP, UK).

The congress has brought together over 1,200 participants from 40 countries, including representatives of government bodies, scientific and educational institutions, international organizations, teachers, experts, and leaders in the field of inclusive education.

The participants include delegates from Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America. More than 100 local and international specialists will speak at the plenary and panel sessions.

The distinguished guests of the congress include Daniel Sobel, founder of IFIP and an expert in inclusive education; Umesh Sharma, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham and a leading scientist in the field of inclusion; and the renowned Japanese architect Takaharu Tezuka, the author of the famous Fuji Kindergarten.

The forum's key themes are innovation, digitalization, and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into the education system. Special attention is paid to technological solutions for supporting children with special educational needs, improving the quality of education, sharing international experience, and strengthening partnerships between countries.

As part of the congress, the Innovation Expo exhibition opened, showcasing solutions in digital technology, education, and accessible environments. Seventeen companies from Kazakhstan, the UK, China, the USA, Poland, and Southeast Asian countries are participating in the exhibition. The exposition will run for three days at the Grand Hall hotel and in open pavilions.

On the first day, a round table on "Global Trends in Inclusive Education: Challenges and Solutions" is scheduled, along with 15 panel sessions dedicated to children's mental well-being, assessing special educational needs, and other key topics.

The events will continue on October 16-17, with the signing of memoranda of cooperation between scientific organizations and partners in the field of inclusive education expected.

Special attention will be given to discussing the draft of the Almaty Declaration. Its adoption is expected to be a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation and forming common approaches to the application of digital and AI technologies in the field of inclusion.

The official closing ceremony of the congress will take place on October 17. WIC 2025 is intended to provide a powerful impetus for developing a culture of inclusion, promoting the principles of equal access to education, implementing advanced technologies, and strengthening international cooperation.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almaty/press/news/details/1086841?lang=kk