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iNet Sweden was launched on 8 February 2007 in Stockholm with a workshop looking at the impact of globalisation and new technology on education, led by Professor Yong Zhao.
In line with Sweden’s emphasis on involving young people, Matilda Elf, a student at Södra Latin Upper Secondary School, gave the opening speech. Matilda emphasised global understanding and cross-cultural learning, and the need to be multilingual and mobile. She also promoted the concept of video-conferenced learning, so we can bring the best educators into any classroom across the globe.
Tony Bloxham, Head of iNet, followed this with a strong message on globalisation. He outlined how iNet is leading and facilitating this process through a rapidly growing global network of schools and educational figures.
Professor Zhao's workshop presented his views on the iNet Global Village, digital citizenship and cooperation with schools in China. It gave a fascinating and exciting insight into Chinese history, culture, education and leadership. Not only did the delegates - a mixture of principals, deputies and other educational leaders - learn much about China, they were also stimulated to discuss how globalisation will restructure the world, and how education should respond.
Stockholm City Council, through its education department and a number of upper secondary schools, are already involved in a Chinese project. Students are offered Mandarin lessons and the opportunity to spend 3 weeks working in China with Swedish companies operating there.
In the mid afternoon we were joined by representatives from a number of these organisations, who were able to learn about Chinese leadership and leadership styles. The following day Professor Zhao led a half-day session with those involved in the project, which gave enormous stimulus and motivated the schools to move forward rapidly with their plans.