On October 10, 2014, an international scientific conference entitled "Inclusive climate as a challenge and mission" was held in Levoča, organized by the PF KU in Ružomberok, the Juraj Páleš Institute in Levoča, the Department of Therapeutic Pedagogy in cooperation with PROLP, the Association of Therapeutic Pedagogues in the Slovak Republic and IGhB – Internationale Gesellschaft der heilpädagogischen Fach-und Berufsverbände. The event was one of the main outputs of the KEGA MŠVVaŠ SR project No. 035-UK/2013, entitled: Model of application of school therapeutic pedagogy in support of an inclusive climate in kindergarten and elementary school, implemented at the mentioned workplace. Guests from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg accepted the invitation to the conference. Among the main speakers were prof. Xavier M. H. Moonen from the Netherlands, Gabriela Zenken, MA from Germany, Mgr. Silvia Neslushanová, PhD. from the Czech Republic and prof. PhDr. Marta Hornáková, PhD., doc. PaedDr. Vladimír Klein, PhD., doc. PaedDr. Erik Žovinec, PhD., doc. Mgr. art. Jaroslava Gajdošíková – Zeleiová, PhD., doc. PhDr. Albín Škoviera, PhD. from Slovakia. Simultaneously with the discussions in the sections, a workshop was held for students of the IJP in Levoča, Department of Therapeutic Pedagogy called Inklusion braucht Sensibilisierung (Inclusion needs sensitization) led by therapeutic pedagogue Marie-Paule Max from Luxembourg, who works with victims of traffic accidents.

The aim was to create a space for scientific discussion based on experience and research results in the field of theory and practice of inclusive, therapeutic, social and special pedagogy with an emphasis on conditions, processes and specifics related to the creation of an inclusive climate in the environment of kindergarten and primary school. The attention of the expert plenary in individual work sections was directed to:

  • opportunities for education and therapy in the processes of creating an inclusive school climate,
  • modern teaching methods and inspiring programs and methods of intervention,
  • possibilities of application of specific therapeutic and educational measures,
  • key competencies of an inclusive teacher in the context of establishing supportive relationships and communication in the classroom,
  • cooperation with the family as a basic prerequisite for upbringing and successful inclusive education,
  • specifics of inclusive diagnostics and interdisciplinary cooperation and other topics related to the focus of the conference.

An inclusive school climate dominated by good relationships, understanding and respect is one of the key attributes of inclusive education. The specifics of each individual's life situation are perceived in their entirety and meaningfulness. A school that is able to create such a climate is a school for everyone and implements inclusion. We believe that the conference and its outputs will be of benefit and support in finding ways to implement the principles of inclusion in the environment of ordinary kindergartens and primary schools.

In Levoča, on October 20, 2014

Mgr. Pavol Janoško, PhD. chairman of the organizing committee