Seminars from Hong Kong Institute of Education

The Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES), Centre for Lifelong Learning Research and Development (CLLRD), and Centre for Governance and Citizenship (CGC) of The Hong Kong Institute of Education jointly present you two seminars with details as below:

Seminar I: Achieving Hong Kong as a Sustainable Opportunity City- What Needs to Happen? 

Speaker: Mr. Peter KEARNS (Intellectual Director of the PASCAL Intellectual Exchanges (PIE) Program, PASCAL International Observatory)

Date/ Time: 10th May 2012 (Thursday), 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Venue: Room 02, Lower Podium, Block D3 (Room D3-LP-02), The Hong Kong Institute of Education (Tai Po Campus), 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po

This seminar discusses some key international trends in learning city development from the perspective of the PASCAL International Exchanges (PIE) project of PASCAL. The conceptual development of PIE has led to the concept of Sustainable Opportunity Cities that foster holistic integrated development across broad sectors. These include environment, social, economic (Sustainable) and lifelong learning, community building, enterprise (Opportunities). The notion of Sustainable Opportunity Cities integrates Learning City, Healthy City and Green City aspirations. What needs to happen to build Hong Kong as a Sustainable Opportunity City? The discussion will consider the present situation, barriers and opportunities, and strategies that could drive successful development.

Seminar II: Making Futures - How Do We Get It Right? Activating Student Voice at the Decision Table 

Speaker: Professor Margaret Robertson (Faculty of Education, University of La Trobe)

Date/Time: 11th May 2012 (Friday), 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Venue: Room 02, Lower Podium, Block D3 (Room D3-LP-02), The Hong Kong Institute of Education (Tai Po Campus), 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po

In this presentation Professor Robertson will outline the research of colleagues working in eleven countries scattered across the globe. Each context provides a case study of a methodology developed in Australia in earlier work with adolescents. The strategy has been adapted to local contexts but each case retained the central questions which were 'How do you see the world of 2020?'; 'What are your big puzzles for the world in which we live?'; 'How can we fix the problems'; What advice do you have for your teachers on how best to prepare for this world?'. The findings reflect a global awareness and perhaps a pessimism that should cause concern for educators and community members alike. At the same time children as ever are resilient and find their own solutions for difficult problems. Shouldn't we rewrite the script - legitimise their voice and give their views the formal credentialing they deserve?

For details please refer to the posters attached. For registration and enquiries, please contact Miss Pinky CHAN at 2948-8129 or by email at <mailto:pmcchan@ied.edu.hk> pmcchan@ied.edu.hk.