The 2020 Summit held in May 2008 provided the opportunity to identify key educational priorities for the next twelve years. Australia’s Asia 2020 Vision highlighted the need “..to renew our nation’s engagement with Asia if we are to maximize our potential to engage globally. Australia’s Asia 2020 vision is based on the urgent need to mainstream Asia literacy to secure our future”.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wants Australia to become “the most Asia literate country in the world.” The National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools (MCEETYA, 2005) sets out the skills and knowledge required to equip young Australians to: boost productivity through working with the world’s largest economies including China, India and Japan collaborate with our neighbours in Asia to resolve global issues including environmental sustainability and poverty strengthen our social capital through understanding Australia’s rich, diverse heritage and what it means to be Australian today.

Land Map

World Map based on population What does this tell us? Does it have implications for the classroom??

What does it mean to be an “Asia engaged young Australian” Understand Asia Develop Informed attitudes and values Know about contemporary and traditional Asia Connect Australia and Asia Communicate

What are the essential learnings for Victorian students on Asia? Physical, Personal And Social Learning Discipline-based Learning Interdisciplinary Learning

VELS + Studies of Asia

It is now time to move beyond just occasionally peppering our lessons with examples of food, stories, music or costumes from Asian countries, to clearly articulating what outcomes we want students to achieve and designing learning experiences that enable and encourage students to achieve them.

Curriculum development – scope and sequence charts

Sample Program St Columbas

“It is impossible to conceive of a future Australian Education system that does not take the study of Asia seriously.” Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, AEF Forum, May 2008 Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia

2 Australia – India Teacher Exchange Programme Global Classroom Project Support professional learning between participants Build on collaborative nature of Study Tour through the development of a collaborative classroom project between Australian and Indian schools. Use of web 2.0 technology to support student and teacher collaboration, communication and creativity.

2 Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia 2008 Study Tours

Supporting ICT readiness

21 st Century Schools: Engage with Asia