National Catholic Education Commission Conference

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia

September 27 - 29 2006

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Among The Many Voices Catholic Education Speaks Now

Catholic schools are making a major contribution to Australian social, cultural, economic, and political life. One in five young Australians is currently being educated in a Catholic school. Yet, the 21^st century Australian Catholic school is very different from the school which is so deeply embedded in the memory of the parents and grandparents of today's students. More and more families, many of whom are not Catholic, are choosing to send their children to Catholic schools. And for many children today the Catholic School is their only experience of Church. These trends reflect profound changes in modern Australian society, culture and religious life. We are now a nation of many voices. This conference is a celebration of, and a reflection on, the Catholic school voice and how it is being heard and understood.

Australian Catholic schools operate within a society where religion and its public practice is more than ever in the public arena. Recent world events and media commentary have illustrated the need for greater understanding and tolerance of religious differences. This conference will focus on the Catholic school voice and the constructive role it plays in building a cohesive and vibrant Australian society.

The conference program will explore what it means to be a Catholic school in 21^st century Australia. It will provide opportunities to focus on:

The changing nature and role of the Australian Catholic school in a multi-faith society;

How to maintain and promote the essential mission and identity of the Catholic school to all who embrace it;

How best to meet the needs of students and staff from a range of faith backgrounds;

Defining the contribution of Catholic schools to Australian society;

Why Catholic schools continue to deserve the financial and other support of Australian governments.

The keynote speakers are:

Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
on Religion and Culture in Modern Australia, with a response from Dr Kath Engelbretson

Professor Kamah Oniah Kamaruzaman, Islamic University of Malaysia
on Understanding and practicing one's own religious tradition, with a response from Bishop Michael Putney

Professor Mary Kalantzis, RMIT, Melbourne
on Religion and culture in Australian schools, with a response from Allan Dooley

The conference will conclude with a 'Conversation' among conference speakers and others discussing the question 'Is being religious un-Australian?' Special events include a daily liturgy, the Conference Mass at St Mary's Cathedral and the Conference Dinner at Darling Harbour.

If you are part of the rich voice of Australian Catholic education and you are interested in enhancing the quality of that voice, you cannot afford to miss this conference. You will be challenged and inspired.