Last Month's Newsletter

December 2011 On the website Calendar Resources In the news Global Education around Australia On the website Our final preparations are underway for the launch of the new global education website at the end of February 2012. We look forward to great input from teachers around Australia sharing their thoughts about including a global perspective in their curriculum. Calendar World AIDS Day      1 December The day highlights the role we all have to play by protecting ourselves and others, welcoming people living with HIV. Useful websites: http://www.unaids.org/en/   http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/ http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/cache/offonce/pid/1666 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery      2 December Officially the transatlantic slave trade was abolished in 1807 but slavery still exists in the forms of bonded labour, early and forced marriages, trafficking and exploitative labour. Useful websites: http://www.antislavery.org http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/slavery/ International Day of Persons with Disabilities       3 December This day promotes an understanding of disability issues; recognises the achievements and contributions of people with a disability and aims to mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Useful websites: http://www.idpwd.com.au/ http://www.un.org/disabilities/ http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/pid/1509 International Volunteers Day          5 December This day celebrates the efforts of those who have made an important contribution to society by giving their time as volunteers. Useful websites: http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/pid/184 Human Rights Day   10 December The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948, outlines the rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in the world. Human rights are universal, indivisible and fundamental for development and democracy. Useful websites: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/education/commemorate_hr_day/index.html http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/cache/offonce/pid/180 International Migrants Day 18 December In 2005 an estimated 191 million people lived outside their countries of origin. International Migrants Day highlights the need to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants in their new countries. Useful websites: http://www.un.org/en/events/migrantsday/ http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/events/migrants http://www.racismnoway.com.au 2012 – International Years International Year of Cooperatives The International Year of Cooperatives is intended to raise public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. http://social.un.org/coopsyear/ International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Three billion people rely on “traditional biomass” and coal as their main fuel sources which impacts on their productivity, health, education and food and water security. The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All raises awareness about the importance of increasing sustainable access to energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy at the local, national, regional and international levels. http://www.un.org/en/events/sustainableenergyforall/ International Decades 2003-2012       United Nations Literacy Decade 2005-2014       Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People  2005-2014       United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2015       International Decade for Action: Water for Life 2006-2016       Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development of the Affected Regions (third decade after the Chernobyl disaster)  2008-2017       Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty 2010-2020       United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification 2011-2020       United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020       Decade of Action for Road Safety http://www.un.org/events/ Resources Grow – Food price pressure points Food prices have reached record heights in 2011 creating further food insecurity for many vulnerable people. Oxfam’s interactive map helps show the problem, cause and impact for affected countries. The stats section graphically represents the percentage of population undernourished and dependent on food imports for each country. There are also evocative photos and a call to action. http://www.oxfam.org.uk/test/map/flash/map_preview_290711_en.html Rethink Refugees Amnesty International Australia have produced this useful website providing an overview of statistics, real life stories and links to current news items about the lives of refugees in Australia. http://www.rethinkrefugees.com.au Kutju Australia Kit - Advance Australia Fair Kutju Australia is the Luritja translation of Advance Australia Fair by Nararula (Alison Anderson) and Ted Egan. Luritja is spoken in central Australia west of Alice Springs. The Kutju Australia kit containing a book, DVD and teacher booklet with connections to the Australian Curriculum and ideas for using Kutju Australia are being distributed to schools. They are also available for $26 including post from http://www.tedegan.com.au/kutju.htm In the news Human Development Report 2011 The 2011 Human Development Report has been released. It argues that the urgent global challenges of sustainability and equity must be addressed together. The Report shows how the world’s most disadvantaged people suffer the most from environmental degradation and disproportionately lack political power to effect change. http://hdr.undp.org/en/ Climate Change Conference – COP 17 The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol is being held in Durban, South Africa 28 November – 9 December http://www.cop17-cmp7durban.com/ World’s population reaches 7 billion The world’s population was estimated to reach seven billion at the beginning of November adding this latest billion in 11 years. These websites offer an engaging way of understanding issues around population growth. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515 http://www.7billionandme.org Global Education around Australia Social Education at the Crossroads Conference January 18-20, 2012 The Social Educators’ Association of Australia (SEAA) conference will capture the challenges we face to develop and implement curriculum and pedagogy that engages and prepares young people as C21st learners in times of change. There are a great range of speakers and workshops. Venue: Queens College Melbourne. Details: http://www.seaa.org.au/ South Australia SASOSE Conference 25th and 26th February The annual SASOSE Conference will have the themes: Australian Year of the Farmer, UN International Year of Cooperatives and Australian Curriculum - History and Geography. There are key presentations from Together for Humanity Foundation and Jackie French. For the full Conference brochure and registration: http://www.groups.esa.edu.au/course/view.php?id=32 Tasmania Human Rights Week in Tasmania December 3 – 10 Celebrate Human Rights Week with activities designed to develop awareness of rights in Australia, around the world, and what can be done to support improved access to rights. See the calendar of events: http://www.afairerworld.org/_Coming_events/ Conflict and violence in a changing world: the challenges of the humanitarian response         6.00pm - 7.30pm Friday 9 December Yves Daccord, Director General of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) will highlight the challenges and ways forward for the humanitarian sector, with particular reference to the role of the ICRC and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Place: Federation Concert Hall, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Davey Street, Hobart RSVP by 2 December: UTAS.events@utas.edu.au Victoria Jump Up Facilitator training           Jan 21st to 25th JUMP UP is an award winning, innovative early year’s program.  It is being developed and trialled in collaboration with the international programs “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium” and “Generation Waking Up”. Teachers are invited to become facilitators. Venue: The Edmund Rice Centre, Lower Plenty. Teachers may also be interested in participating in classroom trials. For more details see the flier section. For information about the Jump Up trial and facilitator training please contact Helena Read at helena@mmnet.org.au or phone 0400 062930 Cultural Diversity Quest The Cultural Diversity Quest is designed to help raise young people's awareness of Victoria's cultural and linguistic diversity. It provides school communities with the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate this diversity and underlines that diversity is everybody's business. All Victorian students, teachers, schools and school clusters (three or more schools) are invited to submit an entry about their experience of cultural diversity in one or more of the Award Categories. Entries close Wednesday 22 February 2012 and the awards Ceremony will be held during Cultural Diversity Week in March 2012. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/quest/default.htm     Visit http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/news to subscribe to the newsletter or to read the latest issue online. Global Education News is published by the Global Education website, funded by AusAID to support its Global Education Program and compiled by Education Services Australia. Email us at globaleducation@edna.edu.au