Making Inclusive Education HappenMaking Inclusive Education Happen
The IEAG/Standards Plus Inclusive Education conference (28th – 30th September) which was sponsored by IHC was a resounding success! Over 250 people from New Zealand, UK, Hong Kong, India, Australia and America came together to discuss Inclusive Education in Te Papa last week. Internationally renowned researchers, authors, parents, Government agencies, non-Government agencies, policy makers and young people with an intellectual disability united in the first ever international conference on Inclusive Education in New Zealand.
International research showing the success and benefits of inclusive education was presented and discussed. The conference investigated what goes into making inclusive schools and communities and how to develop inclusive policies and practices in education. Parents and young people also spoke of their individual experiences within the New Zealand education system.
On Wednesday the 30th of September TV One News aired an interview with Professor Roger Slee regarding the significance of the conference and IHC’s complaint to the Human Rights Commission. A complaint by IHC challenging government actions that discriminate against students on the basis of disability is currently before the Human Rights Commission
IHC also hosted Professor Roger Slee (the Founding Editor of the International Journal of Inclusive Education and was formerly the editor of The Australian Disability Review) and Professor Tony Booth (professor of inclusive and international education at Canterbury Christ Church University (England) and is also the main author of the Index for Inclusion; developing learning and participation in schools, translated and adapted for use in forty countries) for Thursday and Friday.
IHC organised for these two world renowned experts on inclusive education to meet with Education ministry officials and discuss international evidence, best practice and ways to improve opportunities for disabled children at their local schools. The pair also met with the Wellington IHC Association and local families. IHC hopes to maintain the focus on best practice for an inclusive education system that includes and educates all children. This is also the link if you would like to read some of the papers presented; http://www.imaginebetter.co.nz/resources/presentation_list.php
Kind regards, Laura O' Donovan Advocate IHC Inc New Zealand Phone: (04) 4394782 Mobile: (027) 2408391
Posted: Mon 23 Nov 2009 |