About+the+Project

The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008) acknowledges the importance of equipping young Australians with Asia literacy skills and states that: **// “India, China and other Asian nations are growing and their influence on the world is increasing. Australians need to become ‘Asia literate’, engaging and building strong relationships with Asia.” //** The Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia (L21CS) Project was developed by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) in collaboration with peak principals associations including Principals Australia, Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA), Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) and Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA). This Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Quality Outcomes Program. It is guided by the National Statement for Engaging Young Australians in Australian Schools (MCEETYA 2005), and supports the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) and National Curriculum. The 2008-09 L21CS project supported over 180 primary and secondary government, independent and Catholic principals to develop Asia literate curriculum that develops students’ Asia literate skills. In partnership with the AEF, Principals Australia (PA) is conducting Round 2 of the L21CS Program. It will be supported by the National Project Advisory Committee to guide the Program, thus ensuring all peak principal bodies maintain their close involvement in the L21CS strategy.
 * // Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wants to make Australia the most Asia-literate country in the collective West. //**
 * Background to the Project and L21CS **

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