"It has never been more important that SETU contribute to international conversations that promote the development of an ever more inclusive educational context"
Dr Catherine Lowry-O’Neill, Lecturer in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning (SoELL), was a keynote speaker at the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) Special Conference in Liege, July 5-7, 2022. The theme of the conference was promoting quality education across all sectors and emphasising the valuable role played by those involved in educational settings.
Dr Lowry-O’Neill spoke on the topic of citizenship and inclusion, with particular reference to the challenges currently facing education at a time of multi-layered crises in Europe. Dr Lowry-O’Neill and SoELL were previously partners in an EU funded project with ETUCE that addressed citizenship, inclusion, and radicalisation. She presented papers on these issues at conferences in Berlin, Paris and Rome.
Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Education and Lifelong Learning, commented, ‘It is gratifying that SoELL is participating at the cutting edge of European engagement on such vital questions. It has never been more important that SETU contribute to international conversations that promote the development of an ever more inclusive educational context.’
The Special Conference is a decision-making body composed of the ETUCE Committee and up to two representatives from each member organisation. It provides an opportunity for representatives of all ETUCE affiliates to meet and strengthen the bonds of solidarity between teachers and other education employees.