Yilan, Taiwan. The first international meeting of Waldorf teachers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Organized by the Taiwan Waldorf Education Federation (TWEF) and with the support of the Yilan Ci Xin Waldorf School team, the first International Teacher Education Forum (ITEF) in the Asia-Pacific region took place from April 15 to 17. More than 30 people from countries including Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Taiwan participated. The core of the conference consisted of a lecture by Constanza Kaliks on the essence of Waldorf education, a report by Su Zhang on teacher training at the Ci-Xin School and the development of community culture, a lecture by Philipp Reubke from the Pedagogical Section of the Goetheanum on teacher development, and a contribution by Kai Iruma on his socio-cultural Japanese background and how it shapes his relationship with anthroposophy. There was also room for exchange between the participants on the current status of teacher training centers in their countries of origin and on their individual perceptions of the encounter between anthroposophy and Asian culture. Important questions were discussed: In which direction are Waldorf teachers developing in today’s world? What are the needs and requirements for the future development of pedagogical training? How can we work together internationally? During the conference, participants experienced traditional Taiwanese cuisine, a tea ceremony, and other regional specialties. The program was held in English and translated into Mandarin Chinese in places. The diversity of languages and cultures of the participants was perceived as a richness, even if communicating in English was a challenge for some. Overcoming language barriers and improving integration are therefore important elements on the way to a networked Waldorf education in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Translation Charles Cross
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