On November 26th, Albacete became a meeting point for passionate individuals committed to making diversity a catalyst for meaningful inclusion in education. Hosted by Dramblys, the Leadership for Diversity project brought together over 30 educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates for inclusion in a day filled with inspiration, learning, and connection.
Lina Klemkaite, Exective Director of Dramblys, presented the project highlighting its objectives and the results obtained from the efforts of the partnership and the people involved during the two years of duration. She focused on the functioning of the eHub as well as on the Professional Development Programme. Designed for school leaders and educators, these resources aim to turn the principles of diversity and inclusion into actionable leadership practices.
After this introduction came the most awaited moment by the attendees; the round table discussion; ‘Challenges and opportunities in diverse educational environments’ made up of three educational leaders:
- Jose Luis Garijo Rueda, Teacher, former principal of Colegio San Fulgencio.
- Carmen Maria Fajardo, Lecturer in the Department of Training and Labour Orientation in secondary education and co-director of the teaching programme ‘Include and Insert UCLM’.
- Yolanda Sánchez Ballesteros, Educational Counsellor, ‘Promociona’ programme, Fundación Secretariado Gitano.
Each of them narrated the vicissitudes that diversity presents in different areas of the Spanish education system and explained their way of facing the challenges, as well as the solutions they apply to continue growing in the field of inclusion. Without a doubt, it was a talk that shed light on the fact that, when diversity surrounds us, the main objective must be to find the path towards inclusion.
Jose Luis began by underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in education: “Education is everyone’s business.” Drawing on his extensive experience, he highlighted the transformative power of involving families in students’ learning journeys, emphasizing the need for teachers to listen more and adapt their approaches to meet individual needs.
Carmen María offered a straightforward perspective on the challenges educators face: “We need training. There’s no official mandate for it—I sought it out myself. Progress is slow, and the business sector needs to step up its commitment.” Her call to action was a powerful reminder of the gaps that need to be addressed to build inclusive education systems.
Yolanda Sánchez brought attention to systemic biases that limit opportunities for the Roma community: “Low expectations for Roma students often start with families and schools. These perceptions must change to unlock their potential.” Her insights underscored the importance of raising aspirations and fostering collaboration across stakeholders to break cycles of limitation.
This exciting expert meeting with audience participation was followed by a round table of seven women entrepreneurs from different backgrounds who told their stories and offered their points of view on intersectionality in the business fabric at local, national, and international levels. Their stories, filled with resilience and creativity, highlighted the intersection of personal identity and entrepreneurial success. From breaking stereotypes to fostering inclusion in their communities, these women showed how embracing their unique perspectives led to innovation and impact.
The event closed with a space for networking and Spanish wine in which conversations flowed among the attendees, who were able to share and resolve doubts about the topic of the project. This event captured the essence of the Leadership for Diversity project: a collaborative effort to turn diversity into strength and inclusion into action.
The event drew significant local attention, with our efforts to foster inclusive practices highlighted in the media. Más Que Alba published an article, “Una jornada de Dramblys invita a reflexionar por un mundo más inclusivo”, capturing the spirit and purpose of the day. This recognition underscores the importance of collective action in building a more inclusive schools and society.
