r o u n d t a b l e . d i s c u s s i o n . t o p i c s (2nd)

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THE CONTENT OF EDUCATION IN A GLOBAL CIVILIZATION
2nd International Roundtable
November 29-December 6, 1999

The Roundtable will focus on the following topics

The need for a new definition of education
What is the purpose role of education?
How does education meet or fail to meet this purpose or role?
How can education prepare students for co-existence in the emerging global community?
What are the elements of character education and how can they be made more effective?
What might the elements of a curriculum for the future be?

Among others, these 12 ideas will guide the discussion

A teacher is a role model and an example
A school is an extended family and an inspiring physical environment
A school must have a strong vision and a living motto
A school should let music, art and drama refine character and deepen emotion
Parents and teachers should participate in a child's continuous learning
A parent is a role model and an example
A home should be a loving and caring environment where a child receives constant positive reinforcement
A child should be encouraged to experiment and be creative
A child learns by doing, not merely through instruction
A child should be exposed to diverse countries, cultures, languages and religions
A child should aim for the best relative to themselves, not to others
Schools, teachers, and parents must learn to consult, cooperate and act for the benefit of the child and commit themselves to continuous improvement

Format for Discussion
The Roundtable will be in the format of several workshops and discussions encouraging the active involvement of all participants. The goal will be to learn from individuals' and organizations' experiences and examples from around the world, while at the same time forcing ourselves to think out of the box. Well-known keynote speakers have been invited to participate, but the emphasis is on true discourse and not on passive listening.

Like last year, we expect teachers and administrators from several countries. We have already registered participants from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Iceland, Lebanon, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Bangladesh, Brazil, Namibia, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Japan and India.