Building on the overwhelming success of the inaugural event in 2015, the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Reconciliation Symposium 2016 will provide an authentic experience for educators to discuss reconciliation issues and create new ideas and actions that will make a difference within their educational settings and communities.
As part of its ongoing commitment to acknowledging reconciliation in the early years, ECA will be hosting the national symposium at Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park on 13–14 May 2016.
The program
The symposium will be held over two days and the format will be highly interactive. Delegates will be on a journey together, contributing to shared knowledge and dialogue throughout the event.
Topics will include:
- Racism Stops with Me campaign
- becoming culturally competent and taking a leadership role
- the role of ECEC leaders in driving change and improving cultural competence
- engaging with Aboriginal communities and mentors
- cultural competency in early childhood education and care and the role of reconciliation
- developing a Reconciliation Action Plan
- panel on reconciliation in action: Respect, relationships, opportunities.
Speakers will include:
- Geraldine Atkinson and Kate Booth (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care)
- Dr Tim Soutphommasane (Australian Human Rights Commission)
- Justin Mohamed (Reconciliation Australia)
- Professor Manjula Waniganayake (Macquarie University)
- Samantha Smith and Ronald Briggs (The Australian Psychological Society Limited—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander KidsMatter)
- Tracey Simpson (KidsMatter Early Childhood)
- Alex Shain (Reconciliation Australia)
- Carmel Richardson (Wiradjuri Preschool Child Care Centre)
- Wendy Notley (non-Aboriginal early childhood trained teacher)
- Gisella Wilson (KU Children’s Services)
Have you registered?
Places are limited, so get in quick to avoid missing out!
Registrations can be made via the ECA Reconciliation Symposium website.
