Another online session in the Inclusion ACAdemy training series for Norwegian HEIs brought together higher education professionals to explore how inclusive communication can strengthen belonging in international programmes. Organised by the Academic Cooperation Association in partnership with the Support Centre for Inclusive Higher Education (SIHO), the event reflected the series’ broader mission to support institutions in implementing inclusion and diversity priorities under Erasmus+. 

Following an opening introduction, the session by Stella Saliari examined the “will to do things otherwise” in education. She highlighted how learning environments can actively cultivate belonging when institutions move beyond passive diversity policies and instead design structures that recognise lived experience, identity, and systemic barriers. Participants then moved into breakout rooms, where smaller discussions allowed for reflection on practical applications in their own institutions. 

After a short break, Fon Krairiksh led a session on the relationship between language, power, and belonging. Their presentation unpacked how everyday communication practices, ranging from institutional messaging to classroom interactions, can either reinforce exclusion or foster inclusion. The session encouraged participants to critically assess language norms and consider more equitable approaches. 

A second round of breakout discussions enabled attendees to exchange strategies and challenges, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the training series. The event concluded with a wrap-up that synthesised key insights, emphasising the importance of intentional communication in creating inclusive international education spaces. 

As part of the wider Inclusion ACAdemy programme, this session exemplified a hands-on, expert-led approach. The series continues to provide tailored guidance for higher education institutions, drawing on diverse expertise, from practitioners and researchers to student representatives, to advance inclusive internationalisation across Europe. 

About The Inclusion ACAdemy 

The Inclusion ACAdemy is a tailor-made training series on the topic of inclusion and widening participation in international programmes designed for higher education institutions (HEIs) in Norway. The training series has been created to support higher education institutions in implementing the Inclusion and Diversity horizontal priority of the Erasmus+ programme 2021 – 2027, but its outputs are also applicable to other mobility programmes. The trainings will be delivered by experts in the field of inclusive internationalisation. They include practitioners, academics, experts from the NAs and HEIs, representatives of supporting bodies and student organisations.