Media Release: Second Asia Pacific International Forum: Intercultural and Global Citizenship Education
A global forum to discuss the global capabilities for the 21st century
21 January 2016
PERTH, SYDNEY - AFS Intercultural Programs, Australia (AFS Australia), Asia Society Australia and SIETAR Australasia are pleased to present the second Asia Pacific International Forum on intercultural and global citizenship education and competence to be held in Perth at the University Club of WA from 16 to 18 March, 2016.
The Forum will examine how developing intercultural understanding and global citizenship capabilities will better equip individuals and society to meet the needs of education, business and communities in the 21st century.
Henry Moser, Board Chair of AFS Australia speaking today from Perth said that AFS welcomed the opportunity to convene the forum in Perth during Harmony Week, which is a Western Australian Government Government multicultural community relations initiative.
Mr Moser said that the Forum would bring together a diverse community of opinion leaders and stakeholders to examine the importance of Global Citizenship education in promoting positive social, economic and cultural outcomes for Australia, including social cohesion and harmony.
The forum will provide high-quality presentations from a number of global thought leaders in the area of global citizenship education. Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in workshops designed to deepen and extend global citizenship education practices, as well as learn about contemporary research in this important educational discipline.
Speaking from Sydney, Philipp Ivanov, CEO of Asia Society Australia said that strong global citizenship capabilities of the new generation of Australians will be vital for ensuring Australia is economically prosperous and competitive. He hoped that this forum would strengthen the dialogue between educators, government and business community on the ways to integrate global citizenship into Australia’s education system.
Dr Hatice Sitki, President of SIETAR Australasia, speaking from Canberra welcomed the opportunity for anyone who is engaged in the inter-culturalist field to be part of this mult-sectoral and multicultural conversation about global competence. It will be a unique chance to discuss and share issues that affect intercultural and global citizenship education.
Learn more about the Forum, register to participate and submit papers and workshop proposals
Media Inquiries:
AFS Australia: Reg Smith 0409566850, [email protected]
Asia Society Australia: Philipp Ivanov, (02) 8199 9402 [email protected]
SIETAR Australasia: Hatice Sitki, 0421 405 122 [email protected]
AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS works though a global network of 50 partner organisations that has since 1947 been a leader in secondary student study abroad, annually touching the lives of tens of thousands of people in promoting intercultural understanding and developing global competence. AFS has operated in Australia as part of this network since 1959.
SIETAR Australasia is a member of the world's largest Association of inter-culturalists, and is part of the worldwide SIETAR network. SIETAR works to contribute to more effective communication among people of different cultures and backgrounds and enhance intercultural awareness in policy-making, business, education and civil society.