12th International Conference on Education and Culture

The University of Asia and the Pacific organised the Twelfth Asia-Pacific Conference on Education and Culture 2011, which was co-hosted by the USQ and held from 1 to 3 December 2011 in Manila, Philippines.

Theme

Social Justice and the Education of the Citizen in Wisdom

Program

Speakers and guests included the following:

• Welcome remarks from Attorney Delia Tantuico, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Asia and the Pacific
• Message from the co-host Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, Multicultural Centre, University of Southern Queensland

• Message from the Conference Convenor Dr Jose Maria Mariano, President, University of Asia and the Pacific

Session 1: University Liberal Education and Social Justice

Moderated by Dr Corazon Toralba, Chair, 12th International Conference on Education and Culture, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Panel 1: The University and Basic Human Values

'How should the University incorporate a genuine and universal understanding of social justice into its teachings of conflict resolution amid diversity?' presented by Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, Multicultural Centre, Univesity of Southern Queensland, Australia

Panel 2: Reintegrating the Professional and the Human Person

'How should the University prepare the student for a profession that goes beyond technical "deliverable" to one that values the human person as the main mover behind any enterprising endeavour?' presented by Dr Anthony Shannon, Emeritus Professor, University of Technology, Australia

Panel 3: Redefining Concepts of Social Justice

'Is there a need to redefine concepts of social justice to complement changing structures of education and to fulfil realistic goals relevant to the student?' presented by Mr John Raymond Clarke, Senior Executive Officer to Vice-Chancellor, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Session 2: Social Justice and Culture in International and Multicultural Education

Moderated by Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, Multicultural Centre, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Panel 1: Generating Interest in Each Other's Culture and Cultural Products

'How might liberal education courses of the universities in the Asia Pacific region draw attention to the cultural heritage of other nations within the region as key areas of study? How might we promote such areas of study as important to the promotion of a shared understanding of fundamental concepts such as man and social justice?' presented by Dr Michael Anthony Vasco, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Panel 2: A More Practical Though Unavoidable Concern: The Availability of Cultural Products

'If our interest lies particularly in each other's literatures than developing a tradition of translation between the region's nations ought to be a primary concern. Should we focus on the translation of seminal texts into each other's mother tongue or should we settle on a lingua franca spoken by all (like English for instance)? In the meantime, how might such a necessary exchange take place within the region? How might an exchange of experts and expertise take place within the region?' presented by Dr Linda Lumayag, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Malaya, Malaysia

Panel 3: Developing a tradition of comparative study Beyond the Study of Individual Cultures Within our Region

'How might we develop comparative studies that mean to look at the region as a whole? How do we establish comparable equivalences between cultures? (i.e. how do we pin point what in each culture's heritage may present us with an image or archetype that may be compared to its equivalent in another culture?) Should can we assume, to begin with, that such comparisons may be made and that equivalences exist?' presented by Dr Joo Ean Tan, Department of Sociology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Session 3: Social Justice Applied to and Lived in the Asia - Pacific Society Today

Moderated by Dr Jose Maria Mariano, President, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Panel 1: A Multicultural Asia Pacific

'How can the Asia Pacific as a region achieve a common understanding of social justice as a policy in Asia-Pacific?' presented by Mr Stephen Hughes, Diversity Studies and Special Education, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Panel 2: Social Justice in the Region

'How can a common understanding of social justice be translated into a regional aspiration?' presented by Dr Amporn Srisermbhok, Assistant President, International Relations, Eastern Asia University, Thailand

Panel 3: Targeting Institutions

'What are the key institutions that are essential in promoting social justice as a policy in Asia-Pacific?' presented by Dr Robert Mason, School of Humanities and Communication, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Other Conference Participants

Dr Shin Dong Kim, Vice President for University Outreach and International Affairs, Professor of Communication, Hallym University, Korea

Dr Elizabeth Urgel, Chair, Department of Asia Pacific Studies, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Dr Archimedes David, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Angeles University Foundation, Philippines

Observers

Mr William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Ms Ma Concepcion Lagos, 12th International Conference on Education and Culture Secretariat, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Ms Mary Grace Caedo, 12th International Conference on Education and Culture Secretariat, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

For more information please contact William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre, telephone +61 7 4631 1678