International Ministerial Meeting: Education Sector Responses to Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression

UNESCO is bringing Education Ministers together for the "#OutInTheOpen International Ministerial Meeting: Education Sector Responses to Violence based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity/Expression", representing the largest gathering of Ministers and other high-level representatives to address the issue.

Violence in schools and other educational settings is a global problem, and students who are perceived not to conform to prevailing sexual and gender norms, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI), are more vulnerable.

The attending leaders will discuss how to strengthen education-sector responses to the violence; Ministers will produce a Call to Action which affirms their political commitment to ensure the right to education in a safe environment for all learners.

The event will feature the launch of UNESCO's global report on the nature, scope and impact of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in educational settings, and of current actions. It provides education-sector stakeholders with a framework for planning and implementing effective responses to this type of school-related gender-based violence, as part of wider efforts to prevent and address violence in schools.

The two-day event will feature key plenary debates and four thematic roundtable discussions, supported by presentations, videos, infographics and testimonies by those personally impacted by violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Approximately 250 participants will be in attendance, including Ministers and other government officials; and representatives from Civil Society Organisations, UN Agencies, and other Multi-Lateral Organisations.

The event will draw together Ministers and other high-level government officials, from Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Madagascar, Malta, Moldova, The Netherlands, Panama, Slovenia, Swaziland, and United States of America.

Private side meetings will be organized on 18 May 2016 between 3.00 and 5.30pm, including a side meeting for European Ministers and government officials jointly organized by the Council of Europe and UNESCO, and a meeting of civil society organizations.

For media accreditation, please contact Laetitia Kaci at l.kaci@unesco.org