Down syndrome community gets involved in Education Summit
Several members of Education. the New Zealand Down “It was also an opportunity Syndrome Association have for the NZDSA taken part in Education representatives to ensure Summit events that will that the aspirations and help to determine the goals of learners with Down future education in New syndrome and their family Zealand. and whānau were recorded The Summit events were in the discussions.” part of Kōrero Mātauranga, “I think having Andrew a national conversation Oswin and Abigail Knight about education, which represent the voice was launched by the Prime o f p e o p l e w i t h D ow n Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda syndrome was extremely Ardern, on March 23. valuable and powerful and The goal was to bring it was the first time we have together the wider had self-advocates attend community and the and contribute to National education sector to achieve Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Abigail Knight Education meetings.” shared ownership of a vision Angelique van der Velden for the education system for the future. attended the Christchurch Summit as a parent, This process will set the direction of travel and agree a teacher, as a member of the Canterbury Down shared priorities across the whole system – from Syndrome Committee and the NZDSA Education early learning, schooling and tertiary through to Committee and said that the event felt like we were lifelong learning. part of making history. The NZDSA was invited to nominate three people to “We truly had conversations about where we want attend the Christchurch Summit and three people to education to go and that what we suggested will attend the Auckland Summit. become the framework for change,” said Angelique. “There were over 3000 expressions of interest and The Christchurch event at the Horncastle Arena on many people were disappointed that they couldn’t May 5, attracted 800 people from all walks of life attend,” says Zandra Vaccarino who attended the including educators from around the South Island Auckland Summit on May 12-13. and Wellington. Zandra says that having NZDSA representatives “I hadn’t realised that the last time such an event attend the Education Summit ensured that took place was in 1937,” said Angelique. discussions included greater diversity and that their She said that it was inspirational to brainstorm with contributions would enrich the 30-year vision for such diverse and knowledgeable people. “And it was interesting to see that over time individual agendas
CHAT 21 | Issue 74, Winter 2018
14
