Minka's gift for Mother's Day[]
Participation[]
To participate click on http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Mothers_Day_2008 There are two sections (1) Telling the collaborative education project what you need and (2) Adding information to the list of what is already going on – limited currently to France, Ireland and UK.
You can also "share the gift" by participating in the workshop -- see below
What would you really like to give your mother?[]
For those reading this article outside the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sunday March 2nd 2008 is Mother’s Day in these sacred isles. It has to be said that this celebration is a relatively new creation, largely promoted by commercial interests, notably the sellers of flowers and chocolates. That having been said the Day is a wonderful opportunity for journalists to ask mothers “What would you really like as a present from your children?” and to ask children – of any age – “What would you really like to give your mother? The latter question put to one boy gets the reply “My mum would love to go back to Bolivia and I would love to give her a return ticket to do so -- she has never been able to afford the journey.” Another, only half-jokingly, added that sometimes he felt more like giving a one-way ticket, as his mother was unrelentingly tough on him! And it is this quality of tough-love which Latin American mothers need in the really quite hostile environment which the UK provides for bringing up children. Mums have to battle with state schools that will, within months of arrival in the country (it happened within one term in the case of our neighbours' children), suck a child into the anti-learning ethos which prevails in many schools. Outside school your child becomes prey to a culture of binge-drinking, junk food (obesity), sexual imagery (un-obesity), knife-fights and public disrespect towards – even derision of - ‘quintessential guardians of cultural heritage’ such as teachers, religious and political leaders and our elders. Mums, its seems, are are the last line of defence.
Better education[]
So, Mothers, what would you really like as a present from or for your children? Many would surely reply “Just better education - a caring school and safe environment for my kids.” Many mums from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and other Latin American countries would give their bottom dollar for access to good schools and books, TV programmes and films in Spanish and other home languages and for more education materials which could be used at Saturday schools, local colleges, cultural centres and in the home. There are several organisations and cultural associations which have been successful in providing really fantastic activities for kids and youngsters: football teams to join, dance groups, learning in the neighbourhood. (If you know of any of these groups and associations please add their names and contact details to the list – see below). Very often these community activities are the result of acutely hard work on the part of just a few people. The embassies and educators are getting involved in learning schemes to deliver education materials and programmes via internet to every home that requires them (You can start on one of them by clicking http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Caral ). One of Minka’s presents for Mothers’ Day is the support which it is giving to Minkapedia (a term which means ‘collaborative education’). Learning schemes which are being discussed at the moment include those on Latin American / Bolivian / Eccuadorian / Peruvian . . . culture, history and heritage and these can be taught at many levels of ‘focus’ from that of the family to that of the nation.
Mums (and Dads and children too) tell Minka what else you would like (your kids) to be learning – that isn’t covered at school and/or which needs reinforcing. Write your suggestions below (by clicking http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Mothers_Day_2008). You can also help by listing events and organisations – known to you - which are already involved in “out-of-school” (extra-curricular) activities – on the same page: http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Mothers_Day_2008 You will also find a list of the education projects which are being discussed on the page. You can start on one of them by clicking http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Caral Happy Mothers Day and enjoy Caral even if you are not given a one-way ticket there!!
Programme for Peruvians (and friends of Peru) in the community (France/ Ireland/ UK)[]
Join in the discussion of the following proposals. Only one is up and running. You can join this by clicking http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Caral Sending in your workshop project (see webpage) will register you on the learning scheme. N.B. See webpage for an update of this document. This information has lost its table format and needs reformatting for this wiki page.
COURSE / STUDY GROUP / SEMINARS CONTENT / DESCRIPTION
Peru Earthquake Reconstruction
Level 4. First stage of the “Brain Gain” – developing a professional support network amongst Peruvians abroad. Follows on from the work of the Peru Earthquake Aid Committee. Joint international seminars between earthquake specialists in Europe and in the EZ (Earthquake Zone) on themes related to earthquake reconstruction. Programme in collaboration with the UNSECO – DKN Diaspora Knowledge Networks initiative.
Introduction to Peru Level 0 (mainly historical – if you know next to nothing about Peru start here). This learning scheme (minus the podcasts) is “ready to go” as it requires only the purchase by the tutor of two books.
Uses transcribed contemporary texts (see The Peru Reader) to obtain a basic understanding of Peru’s history.Possible experimental media: Use of podcasts downloadable into e.g. I-pods and mobile phones.
Introduction to Peru - The New Peru Level 1 (for those who want an upbeat follow-on from “Introduction to Peru”. Set of materials emphasising all that is positive in the new Peru from say 1945) Examines positive strands in all sectors of contemporary Peruvian society and economy. From Asparagus to Art and Music to Monetary stabilisation, do not take this course if you require a negative view of Peru.
Basic Peruvian heritage (1) ( Peruvian Virtual School in Europe)Level 1 (for use in Saturday schools, project work in secondary schools, family study groups, etc). Would support the pages of the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (escuela virtual). Study sessions: early cities - Caral; writing and common languages; music, dance, poetry; natural habitat e.g. the cloud forest . . . The production team would concentrate on producing study guides for the tutors and on-line materials. Needs in part consent from El Comercio for permission to translate into English and French their 12 part Encyclopaedia of Peru. The materials, texts and podcasts etc would be collected and produced by a researcher based – it is proposed – at a new post in existing institutions (rather than creating a new institution) jointly at SAS (ILAS) and at LSE /Inst of Education and a new Librarian at a Canning House Library “annexe” in South London.
Peruvian heritage (2) (Peruvian Virtual School in Europe)Level 2 (for use in tutor-training for Saturday schools, project work in secondary schools, family study groups, etc). Would support the pages of the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (escuela virtual).
International relations and diplomacyLevel 4 (for those involved in international diplomacy, commerce, cultural exchange, etc.) Seminars hosted in London, Paris and Lima. Initiated by a round of 4 talks one in the Paris Embassy, one in the London Embassy and two in Lima (UK and French embassies). Each embassy would host, record, edit and disseminate one talk per year on a collaborative theme e.g. Peru diplomacy in London 1836-39 under the Confederation.
Peru Campus in Europe - Peruvian university courses in Ireland, the UK and France.Level 3 or 4 Would use new technology (see Harvard website) to archive and broadcast (podcast) lectures and seminars delivered at Peruvian Universities An internet based resource and a “real campus in Dublin and London”.Based on 1999 Universidad de San Agustin, Arequipa scheme, which would certificate students (if required). Initially would involve Life in the UK (1)Levels 0-1. Official UK Government testing of new “settlers” in the UK. Study sessions to support the “Life in the UK” initiative of the UK government. Life in the UK (2) Ireland, the UK and Peru: common histories and histories in common.Level 2 or 1 to accompany “Life in the UK”. Study sessions: (1) textiles; (2) guano and salitre; (3) clubs (Peru); (4) transport; (5) clubs (Ireland and UK); (6) finance . . . Cultural association broadcastsNormally levels 1 or 2. European-wide coordination - follow Peruvian themes across Europe. Recordings of talks and concerts “already” hosted by Peruvian associations initially in UK, Ireland, France and Italy . Extending the experimental Anglo-Peruvian - Cecupe “relay” to further talks and to other associations. A form of Internet radio or podcasting. RNP en Europa. TV Peru in EuropeAgreed in principle with TV Peru, Lima. Sessions based on discussions based on the content (plus supporting material) of Sucedio en el Peru and other TV series with high “educative” content. Music and filmWould extend the Grupo Chasqui “microcine” project
Downloaded music and film from Peru is used as the basic learning resources for podcasted study sessions – aimed at the 12 to 17 age group. Peruvian Students in Europe Network Production of materials based on a project to reinforce their studies. To be discussed with the Peru students at LSE.
Immediate aims[]
- 1. In general the aim is to improve education opportunity for Peruvians in Europe (initially the project should be able to include France, Ireland and the UK) and set up a “diaspora knowledge network” between Peruvians in Europe and Peru.And specifically:
- 2. Support the UK Government “Life in the UK” initiative
- 3. Continue the work of Peru Earthquake Reconstruction Network
- 4. Respond to the Runnymede Reports on Latin American Communities in the UK.
- 5. Strengthen the integration of “diaspora education into academia”.
- 6. Support an expanded Latin American Library for the UK.
- 7. Collaborate with the UNESCO-DKN Diaspora Knowledge Network programme.
End doc for discussion, London 27/feb/2008
Please add information by clicking edit tab at top of page[]
(1) Telling the collaborative education project what you need:
(2) Adding information to the list of what is already going on – limited currently to France, Ireland and UK):