EqualEdu final conference in Lithuania highlights the future of inclusive health education
From 17 to 19 June 2026, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution hosted the final international meeting and conference of the Erasmus+ project EqualEdu. Bringing together project partners, lecturers and students from Czechia, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal and Spain, the event marked the successful completion of the project while fostering discussions on the future of inclusive health education in Europe. The meeting was organised within the framework of the UNINOVIS European University Alliance.
The programme opened with networking activities and discussions on equitable access to healthcare. Evaldas Stanionis from Kauno kolegija presented the situation of healthcare accessibility for LGBTQ+ patients and healthcare professionals in Lithuania, while students participated in a creative workshop developing social media content to raise awareness of EqualEdu topics.
The second day focused on gender, diversity and inclusive healthcare practices. Greta Kraujalytė from the Centre for Equality Advancement explored how gender influences healthcare research, education and clinical practice, while Monika Antanaitytė from the Lithuanian National LGBT Rights Association discussed challenges and good practices in providing inclusive healthcare for LGBTI individuals. Participants also reflected on the project’s achievements and explored ways of further integrating diversity and inclusion topics into health sciences education.
The meeting concluded with the final Erasmus+ project conference, ‘Beyond Equality: The Future of Inclusive Health Education.’ During the conference, Giedrė Sasnauskienė, lecturer at the Rehabilitation Department of Kauno kolegija, presented the importance of inclusion from the perspective of sensory integration. Gabrielė Mozerytė, occupational therapist at the Psychiatric Clinic of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Hospital, shared insights from professional practice supporting a transgender client.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the presentation of the EqualEDU Manual by Manuel Sanchez and Shakira Kaknani Uttumchanda from the University of Malaga. The manual represents one of the project’s main outcomes and provides practical guidance for integrating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into health sciences education. Representatives of partner institutions from Czechia, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal and Spain also shared their experiences during the session ‘From Local Contexts to European Impact’, demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to more inclusive higher education across Europe.
The EqualEdu project has strengthened international cooperation among higher education institutions and contributed to the development of more inclusive approaches to educating future healthcare professionals. Through its participation in Erasmus+ and the UNINOVIS European University Alliance, Kauno kolegija continues to promote equality, diversity and social responsibility in health sciences education while building sustainable partnerships that support positive change across Europe.
