Intercultural education

A three-day international conference on intercultural education will be held in Mdina from September 16 to 18, for teachers of primary schools, policymakers, teacher trainers and heads of schools from EU countries and other countries.

Topics to be discussed at the conference include diversity, cultural dynamics, xenophobia, teachers as intercultural learners, as well as the activities of the International Association for Intercultural Education. The focus will be on teacher education and practical work in schools.

The conference is organised by the Inter Network and is sponsored under the Comenius programme. The local organisers are Metis Education, a member in the network.

To encourage local primary school teachers to attend the conference, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education will excuse teachers who wish to attend the conference from any in-service training to be delivered on the days of the conference.

Intercultural education is not just about cultural differences, but about students’ characteristics as individuals and as members of groups, going beyond their religious or ethnic customs, who although diverse, share a common humanity.

The conference will discuss ways in which education can unmask mechanisms such as racism and xenophobia, sexism and classism, which perpetuate social inequality.

The intercultural approach leads to transforming school and society towards equity and social justice by democratising structures and processes, and developing critical and global citizenship.

Interestingly, the sessions of conference will not be held in one venue in Mdina, but in halls and spaces spread all over the city.

The organisers plan to hold the various strands of the conference in different parts of the small walled city in order to make the best use possible of the unique and prestigious backdrop for the activities to inspire discussion and exchange.

There is no fee to participate in the conference. The registration form may be accessed at www.oafmalta.org.