Reflections
Program Name: SEdA 1-4 May
Participant Name: Christer Torstensson
Born 23 February 1955. Initially an Automotive Engineer and entering into the field of teaching at Technical College level with a Further Education Teacher’s Certificate (City & Guilds of London), ending as Head of Department. Initiated a pilot model for the development of Local Council run Vocational Training Institutes in Zimbabwe (8 years in the country within the field of education).
During further studies achieved a Bachelor of Science in Geography (University of Göteborg) and a Master in Education (University of Göteborg).
Now employed as an Educational Consultant with the Swedish Government (since 1996), as a Regional School-advisor on Education for Sustainable Development. Within The Global School managing teachers clinics, seminars and courses including field visits to developing countries, primarily Uganda.
Reflection
I have realized that I have not shared much feedback as to the results of the participation in the SEdA conference on our group from Halland, Sweden.
It was not possible to gather the group for a meeting before or during the summer holidays so, finally, we managed to meet last Tuesday. They were all very happy to see each other again and had a lot of good memories from the conference to talk about. They felt they had learnt a lot as well as made some interesting contacts.
It was also obvious that the actual being together in a trip like that had created a very positive bond within the group. During our meeting they could often come back to this.
The members of the group have during the summer read some identified literature on leadership and sustainability, including research reports from one of our universities. We have decided on a strategy starting with a meeting in October with an invited well known researcher on leadership and school development, continuing with a project application procedure with the aim of applying for funds to specially train and coach heads from four schools to become models for leadership for sustainable development. The four heads are the three that participated in Waskesiu, plus one from another school district, making it half of the regions districts.
From my point of view this is a marvelous development that I could not even have imagined. The group is full of ideas, they have their own driving force, they are cautious but determined to succeed. And I am positive something good will come out of this.
Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity!
Kind regards,
Christer