Essential education in a challenging global context

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Teachers and educators are expected to fill to overflowing a conference space tomorrow to hear speakers discuss the increasingly relevant topic of intercultural understanding.

In the wake of the London bombings and Prime Minister Howard's anti-terrorism summit with Muslim leaders last week, interest has been keen for the Studies of Asia conference hosted by Asialink's education program, the Asia Education Foundation.

"Teachers are looking for inspiration, confidence and skills to teach greater awareness among their students, to deepen their appreciation of other cultures in a challenging context, " Asialink Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jenny McGregor, said today.

According to Foundation Chair of Curriculum at the University of Melbourne, Professor Lyn Yates: "In the world now, issues of what they like to call 'social cohesion', of how people of different religions and cultural backgrounds and gender treat each other, are real issues. Talk about 'social capital" and 'resilience' is suddenly important."

WHEN: Friday, September 2, 2005
TIME: 8.40 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Bong Su room, Trail of the Elephants, Melbourne Zoo

Program includes:
9.15 a.m: John Quinn, head fitness coach of the Essendon Football Club, and Peter Nevile of the Australia Indonesia Business Council
1.30 p.m: Lucy Carroll, Catholic Education Office, "The Really Big Belief Project"

Asialink, The University of Melbourne

Essential education in a challenging global context