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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
OCIES Newsletter Issue 2, September 2018
Inside this issue: From our Co-Presidents
WCCES Update
Page 2
Page 3
OCIES 2018 Conference Countdown: Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand 19–22nd November
OCIES 2018 Conference Update
Page 4
OCIES Strategic Plan
Page 9
OCIES Call for Nominations Fellowships and Networks News
Page 10
Page 11
Oceanic News
Page 12
Beyond Oceania
Page 17
Newsletter – Issue 3
Page 19
Further details inside this issue
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
From our Co-Presidents OCIES has established itself as an innovative, creative, and inclusive society. Join us (or renew your membership) and become part of a vibrant dialogue honoring the education wisdom and knowledge held in our region. Our Co-Presidents, Kabini Sanga and Zane Ma Rhea, are proactive in encouraging OCIES to become a global voice guiding education theory development that is informed by Oceanic perspectives and insights. We welcome all the education voices of the Oceania Region and those of our neighbours to help us to speak to how we want education to be into the future. Conferences are a highlight of this vision. After OCIES Conference in Sydney in 2016 and Noumea in 2017, we have a three-year conference plan that will take us this November to Victoria University, Wellington, NZ exploring the theme of relationality in education. In 2019, the National University of Samoa will host our annual conference and they are developing some wonderful opportunities for us there. In 2020, we will be hosted by Monash University, Melbourne building on our work with the theme of 'Decolonizing teacher education'. OCIES has a strong commitment to ECR leadership development opportunities and auspices the International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives providing opportunity for OCIES scholars to gain experience in journal publishing, reviewing, and editorial roles. Most important for you thinking of joining us and becoming a financial member, we have a great time and are a supportive and friendly society that will help you to develop your ideas and disseminate your research across the region and internationally.
OCIES Three-Year Conference Plan
OCIES 2018 Wellington, Aotearoa
OCIES 2019 Apia, Samoa
OCIES 2020 Melbourne, Australia
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
WCCES Update
In June 2018, I represented OCIES and attended three WCCES activities: The 1st symposium (jointly held with the 5th IOCES Conference) on Comparative Education for Global Citizenship, Peace and Harmony through Ubuntu, the WCCES Retreat and a WCCES Executive Committee Meeting; all held at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. As a relatively small joint conference, the symposium featured some good debates on a wide range of critical issues. As keynote addresses, Professor Moeketsi Letseka of the University of South Africa spoke on ubuntu and a valedictorian address “Conditionalities and Opportunities in Early Transition Societies: The Challenge for the Left” was delivered by the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Ihron Rensburg. The Retreat was expertly facilitated. Valuable content, ideas and fun were generated for the WCCES leadership and we can expect some futures-oriented outcomes to come out of the retreat. Chaired by WCCES President Professor N’Dri Assie-Lumumba, the Executive Committee Meeting went well and was well-attended. Unfortunately, OCIES past President Professor Eve Coxon (Bureau Member-at-Large) and member of the Executive Committee was unable to attend due to South Africa visa difficulties. In June, the WCCES Journal (GCE vol. 2(1) and The Chronicle vol. 2(2) were successfully launched by Professor N’Dri Assie-Lumumba. OCIES has featured strongly in this GCE issue. OCIES is well-represented in the journal (GCE vol. 2, 1.) with key contributions from Eve Coxon, David Small, Kabini Sanga, Martyn Reynolds, Irene Paulsen, Rebecca Spratt and Joash Maneipuri; as well as from Zane Ma Rhea and Matthew Thomas. Following the June 2018 WCCES Executive Committee Meeting (in SA), Professor N’Dri AssieLumumba has recently appointed a Task Force on Congress Periodicity, Bidding Cycles and Number of Host. Our colleague, Eve Coxon is a member. Others include Noah Sobe (Chair), Steve Azaiki and Cristian Perez Centeno, Ex Officio Member (Chair, Congress Standing Committee). Preparations are underway for the XVII World Congress in May, 20-24 2019 in Cancun Mexico. According to General Secretary Lauren Misiaszek, a site visit of a WCCES team has noted the progress made in preparation for the WCCES 2019 Congress. Of importance to note are: the announcement that the election of new WCCES leadership will be done at the XVII World Congress in May, 20-24 2019 in Cancun Mexico (with calls for nominations to be made by the end of 2018) and the decision of the next host for Congress 2022 to be voted on in Cancun. President N’Dri Assie-Lumumba has recently announced a 2nd WCCES symposium to be held at UNESCO IBE, Geneva, Switzerland (17-18 December, 2018) on Immigrants and Comparative Education: Call to Re/Engagement. Through our active engagements at different levels of the WCCES, OCIES has been making a valuable contribution to the global CE community and causes. By Kabini Sanga (OCIES rep in the WCCES Executive Committee)
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
46th Annual OCIES Conference 2018 The OCIES 2018 Conference (November 19-22) is coming to Wellington, New Zealand! This is news because Wellington has not hosted a comparative and international education conference since this annual meeting began in 1973 (under the auspices of ACIES and later ANZCIES). But the Wellington conference is one you must plan to attend! The conference theme of “Exploring, Celebrating and Deepening Oceanic Relationalities” is pertinent for the times we live in and for the strategic vision of the OCIES leadership. Attracted by this theme and our invitation, three leading Oceanic keynote speakers are confirmed: Professor Vilsoni Hereniko of the University of Hawai’i, Professor Joanna Kidman of VUW and Dr Michelle Johansson of the Black Friars of Auckland, New Zealand. Already, more than 100 papers have been reviewed and accepted. Moreover, the conference registration list is showing a diverse and interesting community of comparative and international education scholars and researchers from all over Oceania and other regions of the world. Among the initial list of registrants are many students and many more first-time attendees to an OCIES conference. The entire conference period, including the academic programme, the social and cultural strands and OCIES business programme promise to be engaging and enriching. You will be in for a real celebrating and deepening of Oceanic relationalities. You will meet and appreciate the wisdom and contributions of senior and respected Oceania scholars. You will be inspired by the ongoing contributions of Oceanic thought leaders and be encouraged by the passion, innovation and energy of emerging scholars and students. The OCIES 2018 will be a real feast! The conference venue is the Kelburn campus of VUW, a good walk up the hill (if you’re up to walking) or a short bus or taxi ride away. While you’re thinking about walking, do bring a good pair of walking shoes as the Wellington Waterfront is a walker’s paradise (on not so wet days!). As you plan your travels to Wellington, please note the following: On Monday 19 November, the conference registration desk opens at 12.00 noon and the Powhiri (Maori welcome) is at 2.30pm at the University Marae; On the conference days (20-22 November), daily registration opens at 8.30am and the formal programme starts at 9am and ends at 4.30pm. On Wednesday (21 November), the OCIES AGM will be held at 3.30pm and the Conference dinner (which is paid for in your registration) is held at 5.30pm. On the final day (Thursday 22 November), at the end of the day, we plan to have a formal hand-over ceremony to our 2019 conference host, the National University of Samoa. In terms of other key dates, please note the following: The conference registration closing date is now 31st October. Note however that the refunds date has not been changed. A draft (academic) programme will be posted on the conference website in late October. If you have an accepted abstract and have not registered at the time of the release of the draft programme, we would encourage you to register right away as this will guarantee your place on the final programme. Again, the OCIES 2018 is a “must attend” event. The conference team of VUW will roll out the welcome mat for you. We look forward to welcoming you in November! Kabini Sanga (Convener)
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Issue 2, September 2018
OCIES 2018 Keynote Speakers Professor Vilsoni Hereniko University of Hawai’i at Manoa Vilsoni Hereniko is originally from Rotuma, Fiji, but has taught at the University of Hawaii (UHManoa) for nearly 30 years. A former Director of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at University of Hawai’i at Manoa as well as former Director and Professor of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP), he has a Masters in Education degree from the University of Newcastleupon-Tyne in England and a Ph.D. from USP in Fiji. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, playwright, and educator. Today, he is a full and tenured professor at the Academy for Creative Media at University of Hawai’I at Manoa.
Associate Professor Joanna Kidman Victoria University of Wellington Joanna Kidman (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāto Raukawa) is a sociologist who works with Māori youth living in precarious economic circumstances in a wide range of urban, municipal and rural settings. Over the past 25 years, she has investigated the impact of institutional and systemic racism on Māori young people and their whānau. Her main focus is the ongoing impact of colonialism and associated state policies and practices linked to income poverty, high incarceration rates, and poor educational outcomes for Māori. She is particularly interested in working alongside Māori communities that are actively rebuilding tribal futures for taiohi Māori. Joanna has also investigated indigenous children’s experiences of institutional and structural racism in other parts of the world. As a member of an international collaboration of indigenous researchers, she carried out studies in indigenous Sediq communities in mountain village schools in Taiwan and published her findings in international journals.
Dr Michelle Johansson Black Friars Theatre Company Michelle is South Auckland born and raised, a Polynesian theatremaker and mother, doctoral scholar and a former high school dropout. She is currently Kaihapai and Programme Director at Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ and the Creative Director of the Black Friars Theatre Company. South Auckland, decile one born and bred, Michelle is proud to work in the spaces where Education, Equity and the Performing Arts meet for Young Brown Scholars.
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Nau mai Haere mai ki e Whanganui-a-Tara Welcome to Wellington Looking for things to do in Wellington? Here’s our top tips: 1. Te Papa is New Zealand’s national museum
and is located on Wellington’s stunning waterfront. Free admission. 2. The ‘Beehive’ is the name given to New
Zealand Parliament’s Executive Wing Building. There are free, daily one-hour guided tours of parliament. 3. To Lord of the Rings fans, Wellington is known
as ‘the Middle of Middle Earth’. Weta Workshops is the home of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit special effects and props. 45 minute tours. Bookings recommended.
4. Take in the spectaular 360 degree views of
Welington at the top of Mount Victoria. You could take the No. 20 bus, but it is a rite of passage to walk to the top. Just ask a local for directions.
5. Taste your way around the city. Wellington is
known as the craft beer capital and the home of good coffee. You won’t go home hungry!
6. The iconic Wellington Cable Car will take you
to the doorstep of the Botanic Gardens. With views of the city skyline, it is well worth the trip. 7. You can’t beat Wellington on a good day.
When the sun is yourself at Oriental ice cream and breathtakingly waterfront.
out, you’ll want to find Bay. Grab a hokey pokey enjoy a stroll on the beautiful Wellington
8. Take in the creative, vintage and bohemian
vibe on Wellington’s Cuba Street. It is the artistic hub of the ‘Capital of Cool’.
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
OCIES 2018 Conference Programme Powhiri A Powhiri (Māori Cultural Welcome) will be held at the VUW Marae to open The OCIES 2018 Conference. The Powhiri will be held at Te Herenga Waka Marae, Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington, on Monday 19th November at 2.30pm. Please plan your travels so that you can join us for this special cultural event.
OCIES 2018 Programme Overview 31 October: Registrations close 19 November, 8.30am–2pm: Emerging Researcher Fono 19 November, 12 registration opens 19 November, welcome)
noon:
2.30pm:
New
and
Conference
Powhiri
(Māori
20–22 November, 9am–4.30pm: Conference 21 November, 3.30pm: OCIES AGM 21 November, 5.30pm: Conference Dinner 22 November, 4pm: Closing ceremony
Conference Dinner The official Conference Dinner will be held at the Te Wharewaka Function Centre. This is located on the Wellington waterfront. Please join us at 5.30pm on Wednesday 21st November 2018 at Te Wharewaka Function Centre for pre-dinner canapés and a glass of wine on arrival, followed by a Māori Style Buffet dinner and entertainment. The cost of your Conference Dinner is built into your registration fee, so you need not pay separately for this event.
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
OCIES 2018 New and Emerging Researcher Fono A New and Emerging Researcher Fono will be held at Victoria University of Wellington on Monday 19th November from 8.30am – 2pm to coincide with the 2018 OCIES Conference. This catered event is free and is open to all New and Emerging Researchers. We use the term New and Emerging Researcher to encompass research undertaken by higher degree researchers, early career researchers, and those working in academia wanting to develop a research trajectory. New and Emerging Researcher Fono objectives: This fono will: • Create intentional networking amongst participants • Provide sessions specifically tailored to building New and Emerging Research capacity • Introduce a call for papers for a 2019 Special Issue of the International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives • Support participants to develop extended abstracts in response to a specific call for papers Schedule for the day: This day will include: • A workshop on identifying your niche and writing a research plan • A workshop on turning your conference presentation into a publication • A panel with academics from Oceania to offer advice and guidance for New and Emerging researchers • An introduction to the proposal for a OCIES New and Emerging Researcher Standing Committee • A call for abstracts for a 2019 Special Issue of the International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives • Complementary lunch and morning tea To register your attendance at this event, please visit the OCIES website to complete the online form by 1st November 2018 (www.ocies.org/new-and-emerging-researchers-fono/).
OCIES 2018 Emerging Scholar Recipients Congratulations to the following OCIES members who were awarded Emerging Scholar Awards to attend the 2018 OCIES Conference: Anh Ngoc Trinh Yagya Raj Pan t Rachel Bleeze John Iromea Noah Romero Liberty Pascua
Canterbury University University of Auckland University of Adelaide University of Sydney University of Auckland University of Sydney
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Issue 2, September 2018
OCIES Strategic Plan: An invitation to members The OCIES Co-Presidents (Kabini Sanga & Zane Ma Rhea) are inviting OCIES members to a conversation on a strategy vision statement for OCIES. This invitation is premised on the appreciation of our history. Established and in existence since 1973 as the Australian Comparative and International Education Society (and later as ANZCIES) and more recently as OCIES, our society has been active in the CIE space globally, regionally and nationally. We have, amongst us in Oceania, world leading and respected scholars. We’re standing on their shoulders today and are grateful to them for their life contributions. Moreover, this invitation is mindful of the opportunities presented by the changing and challenging times we live in and the newer landscapes of diversities and complexities, including of a new generation of Oceanic scholars and scholarships.
The OCIES Executive Committee has agreed on a process involving the OCIES membership in this conversation. We want to see our senior scholars as well as our emerging scholars to be involved. We would encourage all to participate and by doing so, help to shape our collective attention to our OCIES distinctiveness and potential contributions to our worlds. At the Wellington OCIES 2018 conference, we are planning a concentrated conversation session by the OCIES membership on a draft OCIES strategic vision statement. Ahead of this planned conversation, we are inviting those who are interested to participate now (virtually or as written pieces) to be part of a Task Force who will look at the draft 1-pager (the co-Presidents’ vision statement summary) and provide feedback and comments, which will guide the further preparatory work for the Wellington conversation.
If you are interested in being part of this Task Force, please send an e-mail to either Rebecca Spratt [r.spratt@auckland.ac.nz] or Donella Cobb [donella.cobb@waikato.ac.nz]. For your information, the first part of the co-Presidents’ draft strategy vision and mission statement is outlined in the green panels below:
(Proposed) Vision OCIES will be a world-leading comparative and international education scholarly community bringing the Oceanic educational worldview to an international audience and will contribute proactively to the World Council of Comparative Education Societies in support of a globally just education for all children and young adults.
(Proposed) Mission Within these complex and dynamic times, the mission of OCIES is to undertake excellent Comparative Education scholarships (research, teaching and engagement) in ways which are relational and dignifying of people.
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Issue 2, September 2018
Call for Nominations for OCIES Executive Positions We are seeking nominations for three OCIES Executive positions: Secretary, Communications Officer and Treasurer for the 2019-2021 term. Appointment to the Executive requires participation in Executive Meetings (by distance) every 4-6 weeks in addition to on-going work specific to each role. Position descriptions for these roles can be found on the OCIES website (www.ocies.org/about/executivecommittee).
New Issue of International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives Now Available! Volume 17(2), 2018 You can view this issue via the OCIES website (www.ocies.org).
All the incumbents are committed to providing comprehensive hand-over and ongoing support and mentoring (as required) to their successors. If you are interested in one of the positions, we encourage you to get in touch with current position holders to learn more about the expectations and requirements of the role. Contact details can be found on the OCIES website (www.ocies.org/about/executivecommittee).
All current financial members of OCIES can nominate and vote for candidates. Candidates must be current financial members of OCIES and can be located anywhere but must have regular access to internet. Please submit your nomination by Friday 12 October to OceaniaCIES@gmail.com
If necessary, there will be an electronic ballot directly following that deadline. The successful candidates will be announced at this year’s AGM, which is held at the annual conference.
Victoria University of Wellington
Have you read the latest issue of Global Comparative Education? This issue is packed full of articles from OCIES members. Visit www.theworldcouncil.net to view.
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Fellowships and Networks News 2018 First Funding Round Thank you to all who submitted applications for the first round of the 2018 OCIES Fellowships and Networks Grant. We were able to award one successful application. The details of this project are detailed below:
New and Emerging Researcher Fono Submitted by: Sonia Fonua (The University of Auckland) Daniel Couch (The University of Auckland) Donella Cobb (The University of Waikato) Awarded:
$2,335.75
Details of project: Aims: • To establish and grow a vibrant, engaged, and sustainable formal network for Emerging Researchers (ER) in the Oceania region • To build research capacity, and support the development of quality research, amongst emerging CIE researchers in the Oceania region Expected outcomes: • To strengthen research networks in the OCIES ER community; • To support emerging researchers to identify and describe their research niche; • To support emerging researchers to develop a publication plan; • To build capacity amongst ER to undertake peer review and editing of academic articles; • To publish a Special Issue of International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives in 2019, which includes articles from ER within the Oceania region Proposed activities In order to achieve the aims and outcomes set out above, we intend to undertake two activities. These are: •
Activity 1: OCIES Conference: ER Workshop An ER workshop will be delivered at Victoria University of Wellington on Monday 19th November from 8.30am - 2pm, in order to coincide with the 2018 OCIES Conference. See page 8 of this newsletter for further details.
•
Activity 2 - ER Special Issue of IEJ: CP At the conclusion of the ER workshop, we will share a call for extended abstracts with ER for a Special Issue of IEJ: CP in the second half of 2019. This call for extended abstracts will closely mirror the conference theme. The grant applicants will guest-edit this special issue, and intend to structure the publication process in order to support the aims of this grant application. .
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Oceanic News
An update on regional activities by OCIES Members
Vaka Pasifiki 2018 I had the absolute pleasure of attending the fourth Vaka Pasifiki in Suva in early July. This was my first time in Fiji and my first time attending and presenting at this particular conference. Hosted by the University of the South Pacific at the Laucala campus, we were warmly welcomed by MajorGeneral (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote – President, Republic of Fiji. The conference was two amazing days of energetic, Pacific focused education research and initiatives. Having so many Pacific academics in one place made for an invigorating opportunity to build relationships and reflect on the position of education in the Pacific. This created an inspirational platform for the powerful key notes presented by Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and Associate Professor Eve Coxon, challenging us to [continue to] decolonise and disrupt current education systems in the region. For me, one of the most important aspects was the framing of the presentations to showcase four styles of communication found across the Pacific: Ako, Lan, Tok stori and Maneaba. Ako represented the Polynesian transfer of knowledge and encouraged an interactive aspect so the audience was included as part of the knowledge sharing. The Marshallese ‘Lan’ sessions focused on creative forms of delivery such as poetry and art which allowed an opportunity (and a challenge) to perhaps try a different form of expression. The Melanesian format of Tok stori, “a relational mode com communication” (Sanga et al., 2018:3); and the Kiribati Maneaba talking circle made of up of regional stakeholders in education who posed and discussed questions and challenges in education within the region. I thank the conference convenors Associate Professor Kabini Sanga, Dr Seu'ula Johansson-Fua and Dr Frances Koya Vaka'uta and the committees that supported them for their oversight and drive to create a space where everyone felt very welcome to attend and participate in this important conference, beginning with our formal welcome by USP and concluding with the performances at the Oceania Centre Pavilion. I would also like to acknowledge the PERF (Pacific Educational Research Foundation) Board consisting of the original founders and thinkers of the RPEIPP (Rethinking Pacific Education Initiative for and by Pacific People), Professor Konai Helu Thaman (Tonga), Associate Professor Kabini Sanga (Solomon Islands), Dr 'Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki (Tonga), John Niroa (Vanuatu), Tili Afamasaga (Samoa), Her Excellency Dr. Hilda Heine (President, Republic of the Marshall Islands), and Associate Professor. Eve Coxon (Aotearoa, New Zealand). Malo ‘aupito to Dr. Dave Fa’avae for encouraging some of the early career researchers to participate in two Lan sessions, using poetry as a way to describe how we position ourselves with respect to RPEIPP. For me personally the initial challenge of this unfamiliar format developed into an excitement for another form of expression, this was a personal challenge to all but hugely beneficial for helping us to position and locate ourselves in the RPEIPP movement.
By Sonia Fonua
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Oceanic News
An update on regional activities by OCIES Members
Associate Professor Eve Coxon, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Dr 'Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki and Professor Konai Helu Thaman
Julie McLaughlin, Sonia Fonua, Alex McCormick, Eve Coxon, Jacqui Tutavake, Yvonne Ualesi, Maria Meredith
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Oceanic News
Highlights from Vaka Pasifiki 2018
Celebrating Eve Past OCIES president Associate Professor Eve Coxon was celebrated at her retirement function at the University of Auckland’s fale Pasifika on Thursday 19th July. The evening was an opportunity to celebrate Eve’s profound legacy and was attended by OCIES members, past and present colleagues from the University of Auckland, and her family, Tales of her incredible contribution to education in the Pacific region were mirrored with personal testimonies of Eve’s support, encouragement, dedication, vision and tenacity. Eve’s contribution to OCIES has been, and continues to be, significant. The following excerpts from Dr David Small’s speech make reference to Eve’s remarkable contribution:
I first started actively working with Eve through ANZCIES. Eve could always see what ANZCIES could become and gave me my first real glimpse of it when she hosted the 35th ANZCIES Annual Conference in 2007 at Auckland University in this magnificent fale where we are gathered this evening. Over the last few years we have seen that vision take shape through the birth of OCIES, which is becoming a vibrant, connected, relevant, dynamic, decolonising network, grounded in the Pacific region. These descriptors are seldom applied to academic associations and are a testament to Eve’s own vision as well as her leadership and teamwork. OCIES exists as a perfect example of Eve’s grounding in the Pacific, her capacity to see the best in people, and her personality to network and bring together people from diverse backgrounds.
David Small, Daniel Couch, Rebecca Spratt, Eve Coxon, Donella Cobb, Ritesh Shah, Kabini Sanga, Sonia Fonua
Eve has a unique ability to identify potential and talents in people whom others would not often notice. Potential and talents in people that often they themselves do not even realise they possess. Eve can see how the experience, or perspective or character of people has value and is worthy of teasing out, or involving, or developing further, or engaging with and appreciating in some way. By Dr David Small
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Oceanic News An update on regional activities by OCIES Members Network for Educational Research
A Network for Educational Research was established in the first week of July this year, with the first gathering held in Suva. The Network consists of the Pacific Island Countries Ministries of Education Research Units, with support from academics from the University of the South Pacific, the University of Auckland and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management . The Pacific Community’s (SPC) Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) serves as the coordinating body and secretariat. The Network will focus on sharing knowledge and promoting evidence based decisions across the region, and build on the progress made in strengthening research in education systems in the Pacific.
The Network for Educational Research will connect Ministries of Education in Pacific Islands, establish a communication platform to share the successes and challenges that they face, and foster linkages between Education Ministries and research institutions. The Network also attended and participated in the USP’s Vaka Pasifiki Education Conference (VPEC). VPEC provided an opportunity for sharing ideas on research, best practice, teaching, and learning in Oceania. For more information or if you are interested in developing a partnership with the Network, please contact Nina Tu’i ninat@spc.int. By Nina Tu’i
Participants for the two days of sessions included researchers from the Education Ministries from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. In her opening keynote address, Dr Seu’ula Johansson-Fua, USP Director of Institute of Education stressed, “To encourage a culture of research within any Ministry, there is a need for a champion – a leader who is a researcher through and through. Cultures within any organisation are the domains of leaders and as such, to promote a culture of research in your ministry, you or someone in your ministry must champion the cause.”
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Oceanic News
An update on regional activities by OCIES Members
OCIES Member Appointed as UNESCO Commissioner for Education Congratulations to OCIES member Associate Professor Carol Mutch who has been appointed as the New Zealand UNESCO Commissioner for Education. Carol has had a longstanding involvement in education, both in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific. Carol has worked closely with nations who have experienced rapid change, conflict and trauma. Congratulations Carol. We are thrilled to hear of your appointment.
PhD Completion Warm congratulations to Dr Mary-anne Macdonald from Edith Cowan University for recently completing her PhD thesis. Dr Macdonald’s thesis is titled as follows: Macdonald, M. (2018). Examining the perceived benefit of education for Indigenous secondary students in Western Australia. PhD Thesis, Edith Cowan University
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Beyond Oceania
An update on Comparative and International Education activities beyond our Pacific shores
During its “Development Decade” of the 1960s, the UN advocated education as a driver of economic growth. But, over the past fifty years, questions have been asked with increasing urgency about what kind of development is promulgated through literacy, skills training, and formal schooling. What is the longer term cost of an education that promises – and sometimes delivers – productivity, industrialization, modernity and consumption? Who pays this price? What are the larger costs? And with what ultimate consequence for the planet? Such questions prompt the theme of the 63rd annual meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society: Education for Sustainability. Our 2019 theme connects the CIES with a reconsideration of human progress – by scholars, governments, corporations, international agencies, and civil society at the grassroots level. This reconsideration is also reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN member states. The agenda finds its power by setting goals and building peaceful partnerships for the simultaneous pursuit of human well-being and ecological integrity. Our theme will remind us that, while education is both a public and private good, its impact is global. Indeed, education is integral to the four pillars the UN has seen as supporting sustainability: inclusive social development, inclusive economic development, peace and security, and environmental sustainability. We in the CIES, both individually and collectively, have much to contribute to these pillars. How fitting that CIES will meet in San Francisco, where representatives of war-torn nation-states gathered at the Herbst Theater to negotiate and sign the UN Charter in 1945. The international institutions emerging from that historic encounter have endured through political tensions, economic crises and war. They endured partly because the United States played a positive role supporting them. The US Commission for UNESCO, for example, met in San Francisco in 1969 to discuss what could be done to improve the natural environment. That meeting led the way to a worldwide recognition of Earth Day. In 2019 CIES will return to the Herbst Theater to learn what we as scholars and educators can do to marshal new evidence and craft a sustainable future. Today US leadership and engagement in multilateralism is in retreat, with Washington less committed than in the past to the international norms and efforts needed for sustainability. However, California remains committed to this effort. Our meeting in San Francisco thus will remind us that concerted action and scholarship in education can thwart hatred and violence, promote human rights and dignity, and help ensure our planet’s survival. CIES researchers, analysts, teachers and practitioners can – and must – play roles in these efforts. All hands are needed to analyze curricula, address demographic trends, critique existing paradigms, and advocate for policies and practices that will develop a sustainable planet for all. Come and contribute. For more information, visit https://cies2019.org/
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Beyond Oceania
An update on Comparative and International Education activities beyond our Pacific shores
XVII World Congress of Comparative Education Societies Conference Cancún, Mexico, 20-24 May, 2019 Congress Theme: The Future of Education This century started with renewed goals for the millennium and statements about global citizenship and sustainability; but there are also new issues like migration, terrorism, wars, fuel crisis, among others, that impinge upon the present but will have strong effects upon the future and deserve special thinking and action for educators. That is why we invite comparative education societies to work upon the far and the near future of education, either with a global or a local perspective. To re-think about the ends of education, to make reflections about pedagogies, about the curriculum of the future, the future profile of families and learners, or their new educational settings, or about the fate of teacher training, future scenarios portray so many topics for comparative education. Cancún is a well known cosmopolitan place with an average of 180 conferences per year and flights to the main cities of the world. The accommodation capacity and restaurants, together with the turquoise color of the seas and the white of the sands, make a great venue for our world conference. The government of the state of Quintana Roo, as well as a number of universities, together with the Sociedad Mexicana de Educación Comparada (SOMEC), are working towards providing with the nicest facilities to ease our academic work. The XVII World Congress of Comparative Education Societies in Cancún, Mexico will give you a unique opportunity to visit fantastic nearby sites, such as Chichén Itzá, recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. We invite comparative education societies, scholars, practitioners, and teachers to work upon the far and the near future of education, either with a global or a local perspective. To re-think about the ends of education, to make reflections about pedagogies, about the curriculum of the future, the future profile of families and learners, or their new educational settings, or about the fate of teacher training, future scenarios portray so many topics for comparative education. For further information visit: www.worldcces.org/
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OCIES Newsletter
Issue 2, September 2018
Wellington Harbour
OCIES Newsletter # 3, 2018 Our next issue of the OCIES newsletter will be published in December 2018. We welcome contributions from members to make our newsletter relevant, engaging and informative. In particular, we invite pieces that explore: 1. Oceanic News: Send in your 500 - 600 word contribution (and photos) of recent comparative and international activities within the region. This could include teaching, research or networking events. Don't forget to include a caption to accompany photos and the name/s of individuals. Please ensure that you have gained permission from individuals to publish their photo. 2. Beyond Oceania: Do you know of any comparative and international education conferences, gatherings or events in 2019 that are taking place beyond our Oceanic shores? If so, keep us informed. Please send information (including weblinks) to publicise these events. 3. Book publications: Let us know if you have recently published a book. Send in a photo of the cover and a short blurb. 4. Blogs: We'd love to let members know about your blog! Let us know if you have a blog that explores issues relating to comparative and international education. Please send a short blurb about your blog and the link. 5. PhD Completions: We’d love to celebrate OCIES members who have recently completed their PhD. Please send details of your thesis title and institution. 6. Awards and Distinctions: OCIES members are a pretty talented bunch. We’d love to celebrate your success in our next newsletter. Please send details of any recent awards, distinctions or scholarships (this includes institutional awards, research awards and/or scholarships). Send your contributions to the Communications Officer (ocies.org@gmail.com) no later than 31st November 2018.
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