2020 G20 Interfaith Forum

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified an already urgent call for G20 leaders to review their national policies to enhance the quality and equality of education. A priority global objective is to support the most vulnerable students and their families through developing inclusive and caring environments and practices. Inclusive education can contribute to cohesive and thriving societies characterised by wellbeing of all, minimised marginalisation and disparity, shared values, sense of belonging, relational strengths and resilience amongst diverse groups, and mutual trust.

The lenses of religions, faiths and beliefs need to be part of the G20 members’ policy strategies that aim to reduce inequality and exclusion, and promote social cohesion through educational innovation and transformation. Faith-inspired educational initiatives should be carefully integrated into national education policies both to avoid their exclusion which could magnify potential extremist discourses and to embrace spiritual meaningfulness and values that they tend to embody. These programmes have demonstrated a capacity to innovate focusing on explicit objectives of engendering respect, mutual appreciation, empathy, and inclusivity.

In view of the global and national gaps in equality, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and drawing on research evidence, literature, and case studies, the key recommendations of the 2020 G20 Interfaith Forum Policy Brief on Inclusive Education are summarised in the resource.

Click here for the G20 Interfaith Forum supporting documents