PASCAL International Observatory Board Member, Peter Kearns OAM FACE, headlined the 2016 International Conference on Visions for the Taipei Learning City. He spoke on taking the marvellous initiatives begun to 'new heights' as he opened discussions on 'objectives and strategies for the long haul'. Other international guest speakers were invited from Europe (Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France & Italy), Japan (Tokyo & Waseda Universities), China (Beijing & China) and Australia.

Briony Penn, PASCAL publication author, just got back from a 5 week long book tour for her latest book. Leaving the genre of children’s literature, her book, The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan is the biography of a man who believed in getting into rural communities, talking to people and inspiring them about nature, conservation and science.

Honorary Professor of Education and Chair of the PASCAL Board Josef Konvitz, in an opinion piece for the Glasgow-based national newspaper, The Herald on 15 November, argues that freedom of movement is a priceless right that is vital to economic well-being. The full article follows:

The Conference organisers have taken their inspiration from the OECD publication: “Trends Shaping Education 2016”. This publication looks at what is happening in the world and how this reflects on education. OECD is an organisation with many resources and access to big data. The series, however, wants to inform for purposes of strategic thinking and stimulate reflection about the future of education; It is here we wish to link up education and the overall development of our societies,