International Association forEducational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) Communiqué on Social Justice in Educational and Career Guidance and Counselling
On the occasion of the International IAEVG-Conference “Careercounselling: ahuman or a citizen’s right?”, the IAEVG Board of Directorspublishes the followingpress release/statement, on the need to advocate for social justice in educational and career guidance and counselling.
Social injustices and divisions have increasedexponentially in recentyears, widening the economic and social gap between, and within, countries. Currenteconomic forces are compoundingthis situation, and manypoliciesaimed at social inclusion and cohesion have proven to be ineffective in the creation of a democratic, participative and inclusive society in which all voices are heard. Weacknowledgethatmanyeducational and career guidance practitioners are deeplycommitted to social justice, advocating for, and withtheirstudents and clients at an individual and system level. However, althougheach of us has roles and responsibilitiestowards social justice, weneed to address the structural and societalbarriersthat continue to oppress people, requiring leadership and collective efforts. Promotingequality of opportunityregardingaccess to education, training and employment options is not enough. Weneed to strive to achieveequity and equality ofoutcomes. This impliesthat diverse social and cultural groups are givenopportunities to activelyparticipate in the policy-makingprocess, and to ensurethattheirviews are recognised and voices are heard and respected, withoutthemhaving to surrendertheir values and beliefs.
An individual’scareerencompasses all of their life choices, thusthereis a need to broaden the remit of thoseengaged in the delivery of educational and career guidance and counselling services. Careerpractitioners must, therefore, beenabled to advocate for qualityopportunities, for diverse client groups as theyseek to findtheirway in a fast-paced world. This willrequirethem to reach out to thosewhoseek alternative paths; members of non-dominant groups; thosethatmaybeplaced at the margins of society; and otherswhomay not readilyaccess guidance support. This advocacyrequires the provision of real support to enable people to developtheirpotential and capabilities, whateverformthismaytake, and regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion socio-economic class, dis/ability, sexual orientation, and their intersections. Weneed to document best practices to demonstrate how the concept of social justice canbeapplied, mentor ourcolleagues, and provideevidence of how practices based on social justice make a positive difference in people’slives.
It isnecessary to create the conditions thatallow for a widening of participation and openness in dialogue to ensurethat the voices and concerns of all people are bothacknowledged and heard. Social justice isalso about recognisingdiversitybetween, and within groups, and that the needs of communitymembersshould not besubservient to the ever-increasingdemands of the labour market. Consequently, the ‘career’ agenda should not bedriven by economicrationalist arguments, but ratherencompass a holisticviewthroughwhich the needs of all humandevelopment and multiple pathways are considered.
Weneed to promotecommitment to social justice at all levels of society, and to incorporate a critical-recognitive approach to social justice withinpolitical and institutional practices. Therefore, we call on policymakers to renewtheirthinking about the contribution careereducation, guidance and counsellingcanmake to the promotion of a just society, and to provide the material and political support to makethis a reality. Within an educationalcontext, for example, careerpractitionersneedthis support to preparestudents to becomecritical and active citizens of the future, regardless of theiremploymentstatus.
IAEVG, as the largestworldwide guidance association, appeals to providers, practitioners, academics and policymakers,to increasetheir efforts by embracing social justice as a core value that guides their practices. IAEVG membershave an important role to play in leading and promotingresearch and practicelocatedwithin a social justice agenda, and theiremployers must assistthem in thisendeavour. This will help to ensurethatcareer practice becomesmeaningful, and real careerchoiceis made available to all people.
Montpellier, September 28, 2013