Towards inclusion and equity: some reflections on the European Higher Education system

Abstract

Achieving inclusion and equity constitutes two of the main aspirationsin European higher education systems, becoming asocietal imperative (European Commission, 2010a, Red Eurydice,2011).Overall, it is possible to affirm that a democratic society isbased on the principle that the right to education should beensured for all the students, especially for those who are in adisadvantaged situation (Ainscow et al., 2013). Therefore, personaland social circumstances, as socioeconomic status, gender,race or ethnicity, age or disabilities, among others, shouldnot affect active participation in the opportunities that highereducation provides. Furthermore, the social dimension has becomeprogressively important as the need to reflect the socialdiversity at university, ensuring that all students, regardless oftheir social and economic conditions have the opportunity toaccess, participate and, ultimately, succeed at college (RedEurydice, 2011)