The conference is one of the region’s largest professional development events for nursery and school staff, and for many participants it is a date firmly marked in the diary. You will notice it on campus too, where all the guests follow the same timetable through the day and turn up in the shared areas at the same time.
“'Sørlandsk lærerstevne' is about professional development, but also about bringing people together across institutions and professions. It is an important arena for sharing experiences and building networks,” says project manager Ottar Michaelsen at the Department of Teacher Education.
Proud to welcome Deeyah Khan
This year’s opening lecture is entitled The Power of Dialogue: A Conversation with Deeyah Khan. The award-winning documentary filmmaker is internationally renowned for her work on issues such as polarisation, extremism, social exclusion and dialogue. She is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and received the Arts Council Norway Honorary Award earlier this autumn. Through her documentaries and public conversations, Khan has demonstrated how dialogue can foster understanding across deep social and cultural divides.
“We are very proud to have secured Deeyah Khan for Sørlandsk Lærerstevne, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the United Nations Association of Norway for making it possible. Deeyah brings perspectives that are highly relevant to everyone working with children and young people. We are particularly pleased that she will deliver both the opening lecture and one of the largest sessions at the event,” says Michaelsen.
Something for everyone in early years and schools
Following the opening lecture, participants can choose from between 40 and 50 parallel courses. Topics range from language, reading and play to artificial intelligence, inclusion, music, democracy, sustainability and leadership. The courses cater for a wide range of professionals working in nurseries, primary and lower secondary schools, after-school clubs (SFO), schools of music and performing arts, upper secondary education and adult education.
This broad programme is a key reason why Sørlandsk lærerstevne has maintained its position as a leading professional meeting place for those working in education and childcare for nearly a century.
Alternative transport is encouraged
With large numbers of visitors expected on campus that day, significant pressure on car parking facilities is anticipated.
“We encourage participants, staff and students to use alternative forms of transport wherever possible. Walk, cycle, take the bus or carpool if you can. It will make things easier for everyone travelling to campus that day,” says Michaelsen.