Boundaries and Bridges in International Education
Ninth Annual Conference, 20 to 22 November, 1997
Barcelona, Spain
The 9th Annual EAIE Conference was special in many ways as it was organised back-to-back with the 50th Anniversary Conference of the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). The two conferences chose a single theme: 'Boundaries and bridges in international education' and even held joint sessions and dinners. The total number of participants and speakers at the EAIE conference alone reached a record 1750!
Prof Josep Bricall, president of CRE, speaking on the theme 'Boundaries and bridges in international education', gave the first keynote address. He gave a thoughtful analysis raising a number of important issues including the need to develop international linkages while attempting to cut budgets. 'The problem is that many institutions think that the international affairs office is a luxury when it is in fact a necessity, as a regional university must fulfil international, national, and regional missions'.
Prof Nabeel Haidar gave the second keynote address and is the Vice-president for Academic Affairs at the Lebanese American University. He spoke about 'Educational Exchange'and offered many insights into international education in the context of the Middle East and Europe and their not-so-obvious interdependence. He said that the world is now a smaller place and as such the emphasis should be on knowledge, understanding, and cooperation, especially with our neighbours. As technology makes the world smaller all the time, our neighbours are always increasing in number. 'Educational exchange provides a great venue for the improvement of understanding. There are no mightier weapons against prejudice than enlightenment and knowledge and there is no better cure to conflicts than tolerance and dialogue. Educational exchange is dialogue.'
1997 EAIE President Giancarlo Spinelli gave the presidential address at the Joint Plenary. He discussed his approval for the theme this year as it acknowledges the existence of differences. He emphasised that there is a need to build bridges in order to bridge the gap that these differences make. The gap does not disappear but it is no longer an obstacle. 'Our duty and mission is that of linking people, not making them more alike'. The Joint Plenary was followed by the successful Joint Dinner, held in the splendid surroundings of the Palau Nacional, which houses the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
The Programme had a bit of a Mediterranean flavour with one completely dedicated to the theme 'The Mediterranean link'. This was intended to meet the cultural and educational challenges expressed in the Barcelona Declaration of November 1995. A special cross-track theme 'Transatlantic connections' zigzagged through the programme, principally between the United States and Europe, which accounts for the second largest transnational flows of students and staff in the world (after Asia).
A popular social event was the choir concert in the Basílica Santa Maria del Mar in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. There were numerous opportunities for socialising and networking at the Information Market, in between sessions, and after conference hours. Next year will be even better!