Why Asia matters to Auckland

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 19 March 2009

Why Asia matters to Auckland

The Asia New Zealand Foundation is holding two forums for Auckland school principals on why the Asian region is becoming increasingly important to the city and for New Zealand.

It is doing this because school principals are key players in increasing Asia knowledge in communities around New Zealand.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation’s education director, Vanessa Lee, called on Auckland Principals to attend this vital forum.

“School leaders are the change-makers for ensuring all students understand more about the importance of Asia to New Zealand. Whilst some schools in Auckland are embracing the cultural diversity of their schools and reflecting these changes in their curriculums, many schools still need to do more to implement Asia Aware activities in their curriculums,” she said.

“All students in New Zealand will benefit from understanding more about the importance of Asia to New Zealand.”

The Auckland Asia Aware Principals’ Forum will be held on Wednesday March 25 at Duders in Devonport and on Thursday March 26 at the Villa Maria Winery. The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Pansy Wong will attend on March 26.

Why Asia Matters to New Zealand
At the forums, Auckland Principals will receive a copy of the Foundation’s latest publication, Why Asia Matters to New Zealand which outlines why Asia as a region is key to New Zealand’s future.

It highlights five reasons for New Zealanders to increase their understanding of Asia:

• A higher standard of living
• Dynamic communities
• Cultural enrichment
• Broader horizons
• International partnerships

The Why Asia Matters to New Zealand report calls on school leaders to prepare their students for the more diverse and globalised world they are going to inherit. The vision of the revised New Zealand curriculum is to have “young people who will be confident, connected, actively involved and lifelong learners”.

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