Inclusive education: Open debates and the road ahead

This special issue is devoted to the outcomes of the 48th International Conference of Education , Inclusive Education : The Way of the Future (Geneva, 25-28 November 2008). In addition to presenting the conclusion s and recommendations from the conference, this introduction tackles a wide range of questions in the field of inclusive education on which there are still controversy and debate . The issue draws together a selection of articles that analyze these open debates at a deeper level. Special emphasis is placed on several issues: Should inclusive education be a comprehensive approach or follow a policy of piecemeal social engineering ? How can educational systems pursue equity and quality simultaneously? What is the role of government , and of decentral ization and autonomy ? What teaching methods are needed, and what changes in teacher education , development and motivation ? Finally, what are the roles of communities , social attitudes, and behaviours?