Answers to Questions

Re-imagining Childhood Early Learning Conference

371 Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (16 August 2017). In relation to the Re-imagining Childhood Early Learning Conference, being funded by $500,000 of SA government funds in late 2017—

(a) How will the outcomes of this conference be funded for the long term, and implemented as to ensure equity, increase participation and productivity over time:

(b) Who suggested the expenditure of this money, was it a request from the conference organisers or was it a pro-active decision from within government and if so, who within government suggested this expense:

(c) Have the 'Residency Objectives' outlined in Professor Carla Rinaldi's Re-imagining Childhood Report released by the Premier in 2013 been achieved; and

(d) Has the challenge described in Professor Rinaldi's report: To create a pedagogy, with schools that are able to welcome all differences that come from the uniqueness of each child, all human beings, and create a context where the differences can learn to dialogue and enrich each other' been achieved and if so, in what way?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills): I have been advised of the following:

(a) Throughout 2018, the South Australian Collaborative Childhood Project will continue to provide opportunities for professional learning that will aim to build on the learnings from the conference. This includes providing forums for sharing the ongoing research of the services that are researching the Reggio Emilia education principles within their local context, and also engaging with key personnel from Reggio Children.

(b) The South Australian Collaborative Childhood project decided to host the Re-imagining Childhood—A Collaboration of Local and International Perspectives on Early Childhood conference to coincide with the Foundation – Reggio Children Centro Loris Malaguzzi Scientific Committee meeting in Adelaide 9–10 November 2017.

The international Scientific Committee members will each provide keynote addresses and participate in panels at the conference on 6-8 November 2017.

The South Australian government has supported the conference by contributing $500,000 towards the costs of the conference including venue, catering and international keynote speakers' travel and accommodation costs.

(c) The 'Residency Objectives' continue to be achieved and can be described as ongoing community responsibilities. The objectives include:

opening dialogue about the culture of childhood and the value of the child as citizen from birth

building a collaborative culture among groups and sectors in the state to research the Reggio Emilia principles, in order to consider how these principles could inspire South Australian pedagogy and practices

stimulating new research to sustain learning about the possible influences of the Reggio Emilia principles within South Australia.

To achieve these objectives the state government has invested in 3 inter–related strategies:

establishing the South Australian Collaborative Childhood project;

membership of the Foundation Reggio Children Centro Loris Malaguzzi

collaboration with Reggio Children, to provide professional learning via study groups to Reggio Emilia and hosting pedagogistas, atelieristas and teachers from Reggio Emilia in Adelaide.

(d) Based on a strengths perspective that all children are capable of learning from the moment of birth, 'To create a pedagogy, with schools that are able to welcome all differences that come from the uniqueness of each child, all human beings, and create a context where the differences can learn to dialogue and enrich each other' is part of the aspirational vision Professor Rinaldi offered South Australia based on our rich history of investing in early childhood.

This vision requires the long-term, continuous commitment of our community affirming education as a responsibility and duty of the society in which a child lives and therefore does not have an end point.