6th iNet International Conference: Networking for Equity and
Excellence
Westin Grand Cape Town, Arabelle Quays - South Africa
Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 February 2010
Conference summary
Teachers and leading
academics from around the world met in South Africa to identify and
share thinking and practice on issues associated with raising the
aspirations of young learners and providing them with the skills
and knowledge to thrive in a globalised world.
Over 70 education officials, school principals, teachers and
students from schools in South Africa were joined by 60
headteachers and educationalist from the UK, USA, Mauritius and
Australia.
The intensive three day programme included school showcases,
keynote presentations and seminars by leading academics and
discussion and debate opportunities. Delegates also visited local
schools to gain an understanding of South Africa’s culture and
education system and also to provide further insights for the
delegates as they thought through the shape of education for the
21st century learners in their home countries and schools.
The delegates were challenged to examine traditional practice
through academic keynotes, Professors Erica McWilliam and Yong
Zhao, who looked at how we need to unlearn how we teach to really
transform systems around the world, how the impact of technology
redefines what talents our young learners need, and what knowledge
is of most worth for young leaner’s to acquire.
The conference was held up as an agenda setting event for iNet
members by the delegates and the iNet team are now planning
activities from this work. This will be framed around key aspects
of the iNet Charter for Action and, significantly, the launch of
the iNet Global Village.
To summarise this conference we would like to use the words of
Charles Marthinussen Headteacher at Atlantis High School in Cape
Town who presented at the event:
Umuntu Ungumuntu Ngabantus
A person is a person because of other people. If you want to
achieve what you want to achieve help other people achieve what
they want to achieve.