The Higher Education Authority (HEA) hosted a conference on Inclusive Education: 'Shaping an Inclusive and Empowering Higher Education System' at SETU’s Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow. The event forms part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026 programme.
Bringing together approximately 200 delegates from the higher education system, including a number of European speakers, the conference provided a platform for policymakers, institutional leaders, educators, and researchers to explore how higher education can create more inclusive, safe and empowering learning environments.
The event showcased Ireland's leadership in developing an inclusive higher education system and highlight national progress in widening participation and promoting equity across the sector.
As one of the key priorities of Ireland's EU Presidency is the promotion of shared European values, the conference examined how higher education institutions can advance equality, inclusion and student success through policy, practice and leadership.
The programme featured keynote addresses from Irish and European experts, including representatives from the European Commission, OECD, the Institute for the Development of Education, AHEAD and the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). Delegates engaged in discussions on creating inclusive environments, fostering inclusive institutional cultures, advancing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and strengthening leadership's role in driving meaningful change.
A series of lightning talks showcased innovative initiatives from higher education institutions across Ireland, covering issues such as disability inclusion, anti-racism practice, tackling sexual violence and harassment, universal design for learning and student partnership approaches.
The two-day event concluded with a higher education leadership panel featuring institutional presidents, European education leadership and student representatives discussing the future of inclusive higher education.
The conference aligned with broader European priorities around equality, inclusion, democratic participation and social cohesion, and offered an opportunity for Ireland to showcase progress and innovation in widening participation and supporting diverse student populations.