Ministers adopt national policy on Asia in Schools
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Australia’s Education Ministers in six states, two territories and the Federal Education Minister, the Hon. Brendan Nelson, have agreed in a landmark joint statement to elevate the importance of cultural studies of Asia in Australian schools.
The unprecedented policy statement, across nine jurisdictions, presents a united view on the issue of Asia and its value in Australian schooling. The “National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools”, released by Asialink, is hailed by advocates as an outstanding national commitment to Asia education.
‘Ministers of Education are committed to the vision that the people of Australia have the knowledge, skills, values and understanding they need to fulfil themselves, to live in and contribute effectively to a global society and to work on a global economy….the Asian region and Australia’s engagement with Asia are central to this for all Australians,’ says the Statement.
The Ministerial Council on Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) – an organisation of all Australian Education Ministers – has endorsed the new national statement to guide policy in Australian schools. This is the first time all Ministers across Australia have agreed to a national policy on Asia studies.
The Statement identifies what young people would optimally know, understand and be able to do by the end of their schooling as a result of studies of Asia/Australia in the curriculum.
Asialink Chairman, Carrillo Gantner, congratulated the Ministers on this significant commitment to the studies of Asia and its value in Australian schooling.
A number of business people welcomed the decision as a major step forward. Mr Charles Goode, Chairman ANZ Bank, said the policy recognised the
the growing importance of Asia to Australia's future. It was vital, he said, that the State and Federal governments also provided the necessary funding.
Drafted by Asialink's education program, the Asia Education Foundation, on behalf of the Australian Government, the statement brings to fruition a sustained campaign to build agreement.
The policy statement was endorsed by MCEETYA out of session over the course of November, with the final State announcing support late last week.
Responses to the Statement
Charles Goode AC, Chairman ANZ Bank:
"It is good to see both the Commonwealth and State Governments recognising the growing importance of Asia to Australia's future. They have shown their commitment in terms of policy through endorsement of a national Asia education policy and it is vital that they also show it in terms of funding in this area.
"Australian business is having an increasing engagement with Asia. Investment in education to skill Australians to make the most of that future is essential".
Philip Flood, former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and head of the recent Government inquiry into Australia's intelligence agencies:
The National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia is a splendid development. Education Ministers have given a great lead in recognising the need for young Australians to understand better the cultures of our neighbourhood. But a statement of ideals needs to be backed up by strategies and funding.
Education about Asia deserves no less emphasis and funding than we have given in recent years to improving our security infrastructure.
Heather Ridout, CEO, Australian Industry Group:
If we as a country, facing the pressures of globalisation, don't make an effort to understand the cultures of our neighbours then we're not being serious.
For a company competing in Asia, this means it's essential that they have staff with high-level language skills and an appreciation of the cultures within which they operate.
The Engaging Young Australians with Asia policy is part of an approach which is critical for Australia. It is vital for us to have a better understanding of the cultures of our key trading partners and this new strategy will help meet that challenge.
More also needs to be done to boost Australia's language training efforts. Ai Group has been working closely with the National Centre for Language Training to help business better understand language and cultural issues and these efforts will be complemented by the new policy approach.
Phil Scanlan, Chairman of Singer Scanlan Group, founder of Australia-America Dialogue and Asialink Board member:
Australia's capacity to understand its neighbours and trading partners is critical to our future. Language and cultural skills are a key success factor in Australia sustaining high performance as a nation given the global ascendancy of the United States, the challenge of China, the awakening giant of India, the economic powerhouse of Japan, Indonesia's democratic experiment, and asymmetrical apprehensions throughout Southeast Asia.
Peter Yates, Managing Director of Allco Equity Partners Ltd
Understanding Asia, both its languages and cultures, is of critical importance to Australia's future. If as a nation we don't teach, then how can we learn? This national commitment by all States and the Federal Government is a milestone in our journey towards understanding and engaging in Asia.
It's now incumbent upon the States and Federal Government to ensure funding is provided to deliver on the promise.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Conley
Media & Public Affairs, Asialink
Tel: 8344 3575
Mobile: 0437 098 278
Email: j.conley@asialink.unimelb.edu.au