The eighth annual conference in Belfast in October 2010 carried powerful resonances since it conjured up the sense of hope, aspiration and commitment which accompanied the setting up of SCoTENS following an inaugural conference in Belfast 10 years previously. How fitting it was therefore to have ministerial endorsement of SCoTENS’ first decade from Mr Sean Haughey TD, Irish Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, who during his opening address stated that ‘this North-South platform has gone from strength to strength in building professional partnerships and personal networks through its wide ranging activities and research initiatives’.
Official Opening by Ms Caitríona Ruane MLA, NI Minister for Education, and Mr Sean Haughey TD, Irish Minister of State for Lifelong Learning.
Mr Renato Opertti, Coordinator, Capacity Building Programme, UNESCO International Bureau of Education: From Inclusive Education to Inclusive Curricula.
Dr Amanda Watkins, Assistant Director, and Dr Verity Donnelly, Project Leader, European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education: Teacher Education for Inclusion – issues and challenges.
Report back from workshops and discussion. Panel: Dr Amanda Watkins, Dr Verity Donnelly, Mr Renato Opertti, Mr John Hunter, Managing Inspector for Special Education and Inclusion, NI Education and Training Inspectorate, and Ms Áine Lawlor, Director, The Teaching Council (Ireland).
Mr Renato Opertti podcast available.
Dr Amanda Watkins and Dr Verity Donnelly podcast available.
Professor John Furlong, University of Oxford, will launch Valuing Education Technology in Schools in Ireland, North and South.
HEI Responses to the Teacher Education for Inclusion challenge: Professor Tony Gallagher, Pro Vice Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast.