Annual Conference 2018

Shared Commonwealth Values in Education: Where are we now?

Date: 22 May 2018 | Time: 10:05 – 15:00 | Venue: The British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1 A2BN

With the Commonwealth higher up on the British Government's agenda than ever before and a vigorous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting behind us, this is a moment to look to the future with new determination.

We hear much uplifting talk about the Commonwealth being bound together by shared values, but apart from aspects of a common history, what exactly are these values and are they in good health?

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Whilst celebrating its positive achievements, this conference will examine the extent to which the Commonwealth can honestly look at itself in the mirror and say it is a grouping of fair and just societies.

• How far are definitions of justice and human rights truly shared across the Commonwealth?

• How equitable is access to such a fundamental right as education for all?

• Should we simply accept that what is appropriate to one culture may not be right for another?

• In the light of different approaches to judicial sentencing, to respect of each other’s citizens, to free expression in speech and life style, and to governance, is the positive rhetoric about Commonwealth values born out by the realities?

• What are the educational priorities for the Commonwealth today?

• Is sufficient progress being made to provide equity in access to primary, secondary and tertiary education?

• How might we move forward to ensure that every young Commonwealth citizen will have equal and fair opportunities?

Speakers include:

• The Baroness Shami Chakrabarti: Shadow Attorney General

• Sir Stephen Wall: Chair of the Trustees of Cumberland Lodge and previously UK Permanent Representative to the European Union

• Patrick Wintour (invited): British journalist and the diplomatic editor of The Guardian

• Dele Meiji Fatunla: writer, Communications Manager for the Royal African Society, and Trustee of the Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust

• Susan Douglas: Senior Adviser, Schools, British Council

• Brendan O’Malley: a writer and education researcher, Managing Editor of University World News and articles for UNESCO covering violent political and military attacks against students, teachers, academics, schools and education institutions worldwide

• Professor Moses Oketch: Professor of International Education Policy and Development, UCL Institute of Education

• His Excellency Dr John N. Oliphant, High Commissioner, Lesotho, and education professional

• Dr. Richard Olds, President, St George's University, Grenada

• Glen Jacobs D Ed, Interim Provost, St George's University, Grenada
  

P R O G R A M M E

10:00 – 10:30 Registration

10:30 – 10:50 Welcome. Sonny Leong CBE, Chair, Council for Education in the Commonwealth

10:50 – 11:50 Panel Session I - Fair and Just Societies: Does This Describe the Commonwealth Today?

• Sir Stephen Wall: following a career as a British Diplomat, Sir Stephen is now Chair of the Trustees of Cumberland Lodge (an educational charity that seeks more peaceful, open and inclusive societies). He was the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union and was an adviser to UK Prime Ministers, John Major and Tony Blair

• Patrick Wintour (invited): a British journalist and the diplomatic editor of The Guardian. Previously he was the political editor of the publication

• Dele Meiji Fatunla: Dele is a writer, Communications Manager for the Royal African Society, a Trustee of the Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust and editor of Gateway for Africa. He has previously worked with Pearson PLC, Waterstone’s, Penguin and the Economist Group. He has a MA in Sociology from City University and a BA in African Studies & Politics from SOAS

• Chair: Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE: Global Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the British Council

11:50 – 12:50 Panel Session II - Inclusive Education in the Commonwealth: A Myth or Reality?

• Susan Douglas: Senior Adviser, Schools, British Council. Susan provides sector expertise and advice to a wide number of educational programmes involving ministries of education and educational professionals across approximately sixty countries

• Brendan O’Malley: a writer and education researcher and Managing Editor of University World news. He has researched violent political and military attacks against students, teachers, academics, schools and education institutions worldwide; is an advisor and editor of a manual on protecting education in conflict and researcher on higher education provision for refugees

• Professor Moses Oketch: Professor of International Education Policy and Development, UCL Institute of Education

• Chair: His Excellency Dr John N. Oliphant, High Commissioner, Lesotho.

12:50 – 13:10 CEC Annual Conference 2019: Grenada

• Dr. Richard Olds, President and Glen Jacobs D Ed, Interim Provost, St George's University, Grenada

13:10 – 14:10 Lunch

14:10–14:40. Keynote address

• The Baroness Shami Chakrabarti: Shadow Attorney General

• Questions and Answers

14:40 –14:50 Review of the day and closing of conference

15:00 - 16:00 CEC AGM

There will be a high demand for places. To avoid disappointment, please RESERVE your place now, click HERE or email us on [email protected]

Download flyer HERE