INTERPRETING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

dimensions of theory and practice

A conference designed to explore the nature and practice of international education in schools, colleges and universities throughout the world

11 – 13 September 2002

International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Centre for the study of Education in an International Context

Conference objectives	General information
Conference themes	Useful information
Getting to Geneva	Links to other web sites

Conference objectives

The conference is intended to explore the nature and practice of international education in schools, colleges and universities throughout the world. Those attending the conference will have the opportunity to:

hear presentations from invited speakers addressing issues in the theory and practice of international education;
take an active part in debate relating to one or more of the themes identified in the conference structure, through the presentation of individual papers and/or in seminar discussion;
interact with colleagues from national and international schools, researchers, curriculum developers, teacher trainers, government representatives and others working actively in the field of international education, in moving towards a shared understanding of the nature of international education; and
increase understanding of the development and implementation of international education programmes and policies in practice.

It has therefore been organised to ensure maximum opportunity for a full exchange of views and opinions from as wide a range of participants as possible. For that principal reason, those attending the conference will be invited to participate in a series of concurrent seminar sessions, each based upon a major theme relating to the development of international education. The seminar sessions will be organised by convenors, who are identified below with e-mail addresses, so that anyone wishing to offer a formal presentation to a theme seminar may contact the theme convenor in the first instance, and in any event by not later than 31 May 2002. It is anticipated that participants will identify principally with one theme group, which should be indicated on the registration form.

Since a major aim of the conference is for participants to gain a developing understanding of the nature of international education, attendance throughout the entire conference programme is expected.

The conference chair will be Professor Jeff Thompson (IBO and University of Bath, UK) and the proceedings will be summarised by Professor George Walker (Director General, IBO Geneva).

Conference Themes

N°	THEME	CONVENOR
1	History and Nature of International Education	Ian Hill: ianh@ibo.org
2	Curriculum and Assessment	Martin Skelton: martinskelton@compuserve.com
3	Professional Development	Mary Hayden: m.c.hayden@bath.ac.uk
4	Organisation of Schools and Their Communities	Terry Haywood: terryhaywood@tiscalinet.it
5	Governance of International Education	David Wilkinson: dwilkinson@muwci.net

General information

Conference venue

Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) / Geneva International Conference Centre
Rue de Varembé 15
1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland

Conference organization

Conference programme

Jeff Thompson, IB Research Unit & Mary Hayden, CEIC
Department of Education
University of Bath
Bath BA2 7AY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1225 386 657
Fax: +44 1225 323 277
E-mail: ceic@bath.ac.uk

Logistics

Jacqueline Jenny
International Baccalaureate Organization
Route des Morillons 15
1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 77 40
Fax: +41 22 791 02 77
E-mail: jacquiej@ibo.org

Please return your completed registration form directly to CEIC. Prices on the accompanying forms are quoted in Swiss Francs. Registration fee for participants is CHF 400.00. The companion fee of CHF 150.00 applies to partners wishing to attend only the conference dinner and the two receptions. Fees are payable, when registering either by cheque or bank transfer, to IBHQ (see registration form for further details). Please quote the conference reference number: IIE/902.

The deadline for registration is Friday 28 June 2002

Useful information

Languages
Population
Area and latitude
Time
Weather
Money
Visas

Languages	Official language in Geneva: French Other languages spoken: English and German
Population	City of Geneva: 180,000 inhabitants City and Canton: 400,000 inhabitants
Area & altitude	282 km2 / 375m (1,227ft) above sea level
Time	Time in Geneva is GMT +1. Summer time + 1hr (last weekend of March to last weekend of October)
Weather	Geneva enjoys a temperate climate, and in September the temperature on average is 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit).
Money	Most credit cards are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and shops. Prices include VAT, service charges and taxes, except in the case of hotel accommodation, where city tax is charged on top of the room rate. Tipping is not obligatory, but is appropriate as acknowledgement of good service. Hotels are not authorized to exchange money. There is a bank and an automatic exchange machine in the airport at arrivals level, several banks near the hotels, and currency can also be exchanged at the main train station. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Visas	Any person entering Switzerland must be able, at all times, to produce a valid identity document allowing the bearer to cross the border, and the nationals of several countries are required to obtain a visa before entering the country. Participants who require an entry visa into Switzerland must make the necessary arrangements in advance of their departure for Switzerland. Please contact the Swiss Embassy or Swiss Consulate in your country of residence to enquire about visas. Any general enquiries can be directed to the following office: Swiss Federal Aliens Office CH-3003 Bern Switzerland Tel: +41 31 325 9347 Fax: +41 31 325 8193

Getting to Geneva

By air

By rail

By car

By air	There are two international airports in Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (train connection from Zurich to Geneva: approx. 3 ½ hours). Many of the major international airlines as well as a ‘non-frills’ company land in Geneva.
By rail www.cff.ch	Many international routes pass through Geneva to provide convenient connections across Europe. Paris is less than 4 hours away from Geneva by the TGV (high speed train). Reaching a maximum speed of 270 km/h (170 m/h), city-centre to city-centre travelling time compares very favourably with intercity flights. The Swiss National Railroad system (CFF/SBB) is the most efficient means of transportation to travel across the country (in 3-4 hours, you can reach almost any part of Switzerland). Most Swiss train stations have an information counter where the traveller can obtain all necessary help regarding train schedules and information.
By car	Geneva is at the crossroads of Europe’s major highway systems linking France and Italy, Germany and Spain. The Simplon and Grand Saint Bernard alpine road tunnel brings Northern Italy’s main centres within easy reach.