Press release 26 June 2012
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26 June 2012 Northern Ireland’s vision of shared education has international lessons Northern Ireland models of shared education could become templates for other societies divided by ethnicity, religion, tribe or by conflict a panel of international specialists told an audience at Queen’s University Belfast today. The two-day Impact and Potential of Shared Education Conference, organised by the Sharing Education Programme (SEP), challenged experts from Northern Ireland, England, Macedonia, Israel-Palestine, Mexico and the United States to identify the best options to teach children together in divided societies. Since 2007 Sharing Education Programmes, with funding from the International Fund for Ireland and The Atlantic Philanthropies, have developed new and innovative ways to deliver education on a cross-sectoral basis. To date it has engaged more than 200 schools at Post-Primary and Primary level that collaborate in 66 strategic partnerships involving well over 16,000 pupils. Professor Tony Gallagher, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Education at Queen’s University Belfast said: “This conference is about learning from the experience of almost 150 schools, from every part of Northern Ireland, who have been working on shared education activities over the past six years. I am inspired by the commitment and energy of the teachers involved, and by the impact this work has had in bringing young people, parents and community together. The most inspiring thing of all is that shared education can become part of the daily life of a school. When teachers are given the freedom to use their professional expertise, and the encouragement to innovate, it is clear to me that they respond magnificently and provide transformative opportunities for their students.
“The conference also marks a new dimension as we welcome visitors from around the world, including Israel, Macedonia, Mexico and the USA, who believe they can use the shared education model in their own countries.” He added: “The shared education models developed in our schools are proven to raise educational outcomes and contribute to a more cohesive society. Now is the time for all of us, supporting the First, deputy First and Education Ministers to scale up support for shared education across our schools’ system.” Violeta Petroska-Beshka Co-director of the Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Macedonia said a number of post-conflict nations learning are learning from each other. “The value of shared education is recognised by many countries that have suffered from division and conflict. There are lots of models of how we deal with post-conflict division and for a long time, Northern Ireland has been pioneering important new approaches to collaboration and providing proven blueprints for others to adapt and follow. “Shared education has a fundamental role in re-imagining how children can and should be taught in my society. If Northern Ireland capitalises on the opportunity to make sharing a part of every classroom, it can become a world leader in educationally-led collaboration.” Shared Education works at the system level to promote opportunities for sustained curriculum based contact between pupils across the sectoral divide. It focuses on delivering core curriculum activities where teachers and pupils work together across schools to achieve higher quality educational experiences. In April, a report by the Ministerial Advisory Group on Advancing Shared Education recommended that shared education be enshrined in the Education Bill through a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate shared education. The Impact and Potential of Shared Education Conference took place on Wednesday and Thursday the 26th and 27th June 2013 at Riddel Hall, Queen's University, Belfast. Find out more about the Sharing Education Programme at http://www.schoolsworkingtogether.co.uk/ Ends For further information or to request an interview please contact: Stephen McGrath, Weber Shandwick, 079 8947 5561, smcgrath@webershandwick.com Lindsay Beacom, Weber Shandwick, 028 9034 7300, lbeacom@webershandwick.com Notes to editors: The Sharing Education Programme is a £6.6m initiative funded by the International Fund for Ireland and The Atlantic Philanthropies. About the International Fund for Ireland The International Fund for Ireland is an independent, international organisation established by the Irish and British Government in 1986. The Fund’s main objectives are to promote economic and social advance and encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between Unionists and Nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Since its inception, the Fund has committed more than £707m/€890m to a wide variety of projects in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Developing and funding initiatives that tackle segregation and promote integration to build a lasting peace in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties is a key priority for the Fund. About The Atlantic Philanthropies The Atlantic Philanthropies are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Atlantic focuses on four critical social problems: Ageing, Children & Youth, Population Health, and Reconciliation & Human Rights. Atlantic operates in Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam. Shared education is supported under Atlantic’s Reconciliation and Human Rights Programme in Northern Ireland. To learn more, please visit: www.atlanticphilanthropies.org. Directory: images -> stories stories -> Pelan pentaksiran kursus stories -> Creating Buy-In – Building Relationships stories -> News items from Raising Our Voices stories -> Good News Agency stories -> Toyota car dealer in guthrie kentucky 1996 toyota 4runner pully assembley stories -> It equipment for loan, available at LENIN COMPUTER SYSTEM it equipment stories -> Obama’s global goals: dangers to our society stories -> Freestyl 1 Quick Reference Sheet stories -> Intel Corporation stories -> Intel Corporation Download 14.48 Kb. Share with your friends:
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