Hancock to attend Learning and Technology World Forum in London
Edmonton... Alberta Minister of Education, Dave Hancock, will represent the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, at the inaugural Learning and Technology World Forum in London, England. The forum will be held from January 12 to 14.
Hosted by the United Kingdom (UK) government, the forum builds on the highly successful Moving Young Minds international 2008 ministerial seminar that saw more than 60 countries participate. International insights gained from the forum have the potential of informing Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans, a broad-based discussion with citizens that Minister Hancock launched in late 2008 on the fundamental importance of education to Alberta’s future.
“Technology is an extremely powerful tool for today’s education system and is an aid to differentiated student learning, innovative teaching practices and system assessment,” said Hancock. “The forum offers senior policy makers and experts from around the world the opportunity to share best practices and discuss policies that have led to student success.”
Hancock believes the forum’s focus on leadership, skills and an education workforce for the 21st Century, is extremely relevant to an Albertan context.
“We know that many of the jobs of the future will require a post-secondary education. We also know that a core component of a successful education system is in maintaining and fostering our highly trained, dedicated and respected teacher workforce, as well as the executive leadership of school jurisdictions and Alberta Education,” said the minister.
Following Hancock’s participation in the forum, he will meet with British education officials and visit innovative UK educational facilities. The minister’s meetings and tours will further enable Alberta to share and explore international best practices in education topics such as ‘wraparound’ community services in schools, assessment, and student health and wellness.
The estimated cost of the trip, including travel and accommodation, for Minister Hancock and a member of his staff, is $12,100. As the Canadian representative, the majority of the minister’s expenses, and those of one staff member, will be covered by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
Backgrounder
Hancock Learning and Technology World Forum
Travel itinerary
January 11 to 17
| Date | Event |
| Sunday, January 11 | Travel to London, England |
| Monday, January 12 |
Morning – tour of London schools Afternoon – attend Forum |
| Tuesday, January 13 | Attend Forum |
| Wednesday, January 14 | Attend Forum |
| Thursday, January 15 | High-level meetings |
| Friday, January 16 | Travel to Sheffield, England for tour of schools |
| Saturday, January 17 | Travel to Edmonton |
