by Jessica Bassano
The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2020 will bring Indigenous representatives from across the globe to the Adelaide Convention Centre Nov. 2-6, 2020. The event, which runs roughly every three years, has been held in countries across the world, including Canada, Hawaii and Peru.
WIPCE 2020 academic program committee assistant Mark Tranthim-Fryer says previous events have attracted between 2,000 and 4,000 delegates. He expects a similar number to convene in Adelaide.
Focused on the theme of “Sovereignty: Our Voices, Our Futures”, WIPCE 2020 will feature a program of keynote presentations, networking opportunities, interactive workshops and discussion forums.
The event is being hosted by the South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council, which is the peak body for engaging with Aboriginal people and community on education matters in South Australia, in collaboration with independent educational institution Tauondi Aboriginal College.
Expressions of interest are open for event delegates, and sponsors and workshop proposals are being accepted. Proposals must address the conference theme and be led by an indigenous person. Proposal submissions close on Nov. 1.
“If we’re talking about sovereignty, then the primary principal is on the premise of indigenous people to be responsible for their own community development,” Tranthim-Fryer says. “They should be listened to first and foremost. Certainly, there’s other support around and agencies and so on, but for an event like this it’s really important it’s indigenous led.”
The South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC) is the peak body responsible for engaging with Aboriginal people and community on education matters in South Australia. SAAETCC seeks to improve educational opportunities and achievements of Aboriginal people. For more info, visit http://saaetcc.edu.au/.
