World Conference Fundraising Appeal
Building Stronger Networks for Inclusive Education
Around the world, millions of learners with visual impairment, blindness, deafblindness, low vision, and multiple or additional disabilities continue to face barriers to education and participation in society. Achieving real progress requires collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective action across countries and regions.
The ICEVI World Conference is an essential platform where educators, advocates, families, researchers, and policy leaders come together to exchange research, practical approaches, and strategies for building more inclusive education systems. It’s a place to learn from successes, address challenges, and develop solutions that can be adapted and applied globally.
ICEVI is working to raise $100,000 to support the 2028 World Conference. These funds will help us:
- Convene diverse stakeholders to discuss and develop effective approaches to inclusive education.
- Connect individuals and organizations from all regions, fostering networks that continue to collaborate long after the conference ends.
- Share research and practical solutions that can strengthen educational opportunities for learners with visual impairment and other disabilities.
- Influence policies and systems by ensuring that insights from the conference reach decision-makers worldwide.
A key priority is making sure that participants from low-income countries can take part. Part of the funds raised will be dedicated to travel sponsorships and support, so that every region is represented, and valuable local perspectives are included.
2024 ICEVI World Conference
Ahmedabad, India
14–16 November 2024
Theme: "Inclusion in Diversity: Equity and Accessibility for All"
The 2024 World Conference marked a significant milestone in ICEVI’s global effort to influence inclusive education systems and international policy frameworks. Co-organized with long-standing partners—the Blind People’s Association (India), Sense International India, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University—the conference brought together over 700 participants from more than 80 countries.
As education systems continue to respond to equity gaps, digital transformation, and linguistic inclusion, this convening emphasized shared strategies across ICEVI’s seven regions. Plenary sessions, technical panels, and informal dialogues created space for members and partners to align local practice with global frameworks such as the CRPD and Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Key Themes
- Inclusive early childhood education and teacher preparation
- Access to braille and digital tools in local languages
- Policy development in low- and middle-income countries
- Collaboration in higher education and inclusive technology
Informing Future Action
ICEVI World Conferences are not isolated events. They contribute directly to ICEVI’s long-term strategies across regions and sectors. Learnings and connections from Ahmedabad are already shaping ICEVI’s technical guidance, capacity-building resources, and regional advocacy efforts for the 2025–2028 quadrennium.
The 2024 event reinforced the importance of sustained dialogue, inclusive leadership, and regional ownership in shaping equitable education systems.
Impact
The 2024 World Conference contributed to systemic change by convening a broad cross-section of actors to co-develop inclusive education strategies. With co-leadership from host institutions in India and active participation from ICEVI’s global members and partners, the event strengthened regional visibility, elevated lived experience, and reinforced alignment with international policy frameworks. It set the stage for continued collaboration and action in the years ahead.
Refections from the 2024 ICEVI World Conference Participants
Participants emphasized the power of cross-regional learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Their reflections underscore the value of convening as a diverse global network.
“The ICEVI Conference created a space for learning, sharing, and building connections across regions. I was honoured to contribute alongside my ICEVI Latin America colleagues and to share the progress in our region.”
— Leonela González Vides, Costa Rica
“It deepened our commitment to collaborative efforts that improve access, education, and quality of life for people with visual impairment. The chance to reflect on person-, family-, and community-centred approaches was invaluable.”
— Tiflolabs Team, Costa Rica
“From reconnecting with longtime partners to forming new collaborations, ICEVI 2024 provided a powerful platform for inclusion. The conversations and relationships will shape our work for years to come.”
— Molemisi Kono, Visual Eyes Afrika-International (VEA-int)
“The conference theme—‘Inclusion in Diversity and Accessibility for All’—was brought to life through the range of voices and experiences represented. We are excited to build on these new connections in future ICEVI regional events.”
— VEA-int Delegation
“Of all the ICEVI Conferences I have attended since the year 2000, it would not be an exaggeration that this one was the best.”
— Prof. Sujata Bhan, Mumbai, India
“Delegates will go away with information and contacts to assist them in improving the quality of life of persons who are blind, have low vision, deafblind, or with multiple disabilities.”
— Ms. Siân Tesni, Chair, Program Committee
“This event not only brought together global experts but also created a platform for innovative ideas, reflections, and deeper understanding of inclusive education.”
— Mr. Birendra Phokhrel, Nepal