Racism takes multiple and intersecting forms and continues to undermine equality, human rights and access to quality education. Education has a critical role to play not only in preventing racism and challenging prejudice, but also in examining and transforming the institutional practices and structural inequalities through which racism is reproduced. 

Bringing together policymakers, education practitioners, experts, institutional partners and young people, this high-level dialogue taking place on 12 November from 3:30pm to 6:00pm will explore how education systems can respond to racism in all its dimensions. It will foster political commitment, strengthen partnerships and identify priorities for advancing anti-racist education across Europe and beyond.

Organized by UNESCO in partnership with the European Commission, the event marks a key milestone in the development of UNESCO’s first policy guide on addressing racism in and through education. It will provide a space to connect policy commitments with practical action, examine institutional responsibilities and consider how education systems can challenge systemic racism through more inclusive policies and practices, informed by the experiences and perspectives of communities affected by racism.

In parallel with this dialogue, UNESCO will host a closed-door expert consultation on 12 and 13 November to contribute directly to the development of the policy guide. The consultation will bring together over 30 experts from across Europe, with expertise in different forms of racism and their intersections with education, to inform the guide’s development and strengthen its relevance to diverse educational contexts.