09 January 2008
The biggest annual event in the UK’s education calendar, the North of England Education Conference, gets underway in Cardiff over the next three days [Wednesday 9 January – Friday 11 January 2008].
The Welsh Local Government Association, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, is hosting the event, which is the largest and most prestigious education conference in the UK. This is the first time the event has been held in Wales and only the second time the conference has been held outside the North of England.
Cllr John Davies (Pembrokeshire) WLGA Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning said: “We are delighted and honoured to be hosting the conference this year on behalf of the 22 local authorities in Wales.”
“The conference brings together leading academics, professionals and politicians from across the UK’s education community to share the latest ideas and experiences. This year’s Conference goes beyond education as it deals with vocational training, lifelong learning and the wider needs of children and young people. This event is particularly timely as local authorities finalise their first Children’s and Young People’s Plans.”
First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas will host a reception at the Senedd this evening [Wednesday 9 January 2007] to officially welcome the North of England Education Conference to Wales.
The theme for the 2008 conference, is Learning for Life and the main conference venue is the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
The First Minister said: “Eight years of devolution has lead to a massive transformation in Wales’ education system and it is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to showcase these achievements here tonight to such a prestigious audience.
“In 1999 I wouldn’t have believed someone who told me that in eight years time a Welsh university would have two Nobel prize winners on their staff, but Cardiff University’s achievement is emblematic of this remarkable change.
"Wales now has the confidence to do things for itself and ‘go it alone’ has grown out of all proportion, and will continue to grow well into the future.”
Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Minister Jane Hutt will address delegates in the Wales Millennium Centre at 10.35am on Thursday 10 January; and the Director of DCELLS Steve Marshall will present his speech entitled Learning Today for Tomorrow at 9.30m on Friday 11 January.
Jane Hutt said: “It is wonderful for Wales that the North of England Education Conference has chosen to come here.
“Delegates will have an insight into the ways that we are seeking to improve educational outcomes for children and young people in Wales. There are exciting developments from the unique Foundation Phase through to our new Skills and Employment Strategy that is being launched next week. In turn, we will have an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the United Kingdom about the steps others are taking to promote the wellbeing and education of children and young people.”
For further information, click here.