International conference comes to Nelson

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1991

Founders Park will play host to the International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC) next month.

The conference runs from April 9 to 12 and participants from as far away as Canada, the UK and Finland are expected to attend.

Each year the conference is held in a different country and brings together educational leaders and change-makers from over 20 countries.

This is the second time the conference has been held in New Zealand.

Conference Director Birgit Baader said the conference will reflect on the way that students learn.

“There are more and more schools, teachers, parents and students who feel it’s time for a move away from the ‘industrial age’ education system with one teacher in front of a large group, all expected to learn the same thing at the same time and pace,” she said.

“Democratic Education is a child-led and project-based way to help children learn, focussed on their own interests and pace.”

The programme covers all ages with keynote speakers from around the world. There are also interactive workshops, discussion forums and a youth zone offering collaborative projects for young people.

Headed the guest speaker list is Yaakov Hecht from Israel. He is the father of ‘education cities’, a community-based way of learning.
National presenters include Professor Niki Harre from Auckland University, the author of Psychology of a Better World; Dr Rose Pere  from Te Wheke – the octopus model of health and Rangimarie Parata from Te Pā o Rākaihautū, an innovative learning village in Christchurch.

IDEC is a bi-culturally hosted international event that honours the Tāngata Whenua (People of the Land) and incorporates Tikanga Māori (Indigenous Customs & Protocols).