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Seeds of Confidence - The Third International
SEAL Conference in Argentina |
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A Letter from Verónica de
Andrés
Conference organiser
and
Robert Gillan
Director of SEAL UK
Dear SEALer or SEALer-to-be,
In his book 101 Ways to develop Student Self-Esteem and Responsibility Jack Canfield writes:
'Our schools are in crisis. It is a crisis that has existed for decades and which persists in spite of government commissions, blue-ribbon panels, back to basics programmes, alternative schools and other attempts at reform. The problem is deeper than declining test scores, low teacher morale, student violence, drugs and apathy. These are merely symptoms of the real issue, which is that our schools have lost their sense of mission. It is no longer clear to the educators, to the government, nor to the general public exactly what we want or need our schools to do. Lacking a profound purpose, all the reform plans in the world are destined to be little more than band-aids, programmes to pull people out of the river.'
Jack's description sounds very familiar, and we agree completely: we live in an age of crisis. It is a crisis which is spiritual, moral and social. Above all, however, it is educational. Education shapes every human thought, belief and action. The seeds we plant in our schools bear fruit throughout the rest of our lives.
SEAL believes:
- that the human dimension to education is of paramount importance. The human dimension encompasses relationships, attitudes and the never ending desire to learn, whatever our role in life.
- in the need to update our knowledge and skills at every opportunity.
- in the need to challenge our current attitudes and to verify them again and again in the light of changing conditions and belief systems.
- in the constant pursuit of new goals, new dreams, new perspectives. We believe in making contact with others who are involved in the same pursuit but from different fields and from different countries. It is by this constant exposure and openness to new possibilities that we ourselves continue to grow and in so doing we want to revitalise education.
- that a crisis can be seen from two very different perspectives, danger or opportunity. In SEAL we choose opportunity.
If we are to achieve our vision, though, we need self-confidence. We need confidence in our ability for continuous learning, often from subjects quite new to us, often from cultures very different from our own. We need confidence to plant those seeds necessary to reverse the crisis in education and we need confidence to understand that the greatest opportunities come at times of crisis.
Hence 'Seeds of Confidence'. This is our most ambitious Conference yet which brings together speakers from both sides of the Atlantic, and from North and South America. It also brings together, for the first time, SEAL and The International Council for Self Esteem: they are both sides of the same coin. It is a Conference which will enable us to make a real difference, not only in our knowledge, not only in our skills, not only in our teaching, but as human beings too. Hence the invitation to our Conference is not just to teachers or language teachers, but to anyone who wants to make a difference at home, at school, at work. We encourage and count on you to invite your friends, especially if they belong to other fields. The language of the Conference will be English but only a basic level is required, just enough to understand and communicate.
We look forward very much to welcoming you to our Conference. We are sure that there will be new experiences for each one of you, experiences which will open new doors and create new possibilities. Above all, there will be new experiences which will expand your horizons enabling and empowering you to play that much greater part in the lives of others.
Seeds of Confidence: an attitude essential to face challenges with determination and change with hope;a condition absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to enhance his performance; anyone who feels responsible for the growth of others; anyone who wants to make a contribution to making this world a better place to live.
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Robert Gillan
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