17th Annual Global Partners in Education Conference

The 17^th Annual Global Partners in Education Conference will be hosted by the University of Shimane, in Japan from May 20 – 22, 2024. We invite teachers, staff, technical support personnel, students, and administrators from GPE partner institutions around the world to join us at the University of Shimane in Hamada City, Shimane prefecture, Japan from May 20-22, 2024 for this important knowledge sharing and networking event.

GPE strives to offer programming that helps students develop cultural competencies and awareness necessary to thrive in today’s interconnected world. The theme of 2024’s conference, “Fostering cross-cultural awareness through education” directly correlates with that goal. Our students will enter a world where technology, business, migration, tourism, study abroad opportunities, and unfortunately conflict lead to greater contact between peoples from different cultures. Japan has traditionally been a relatively closed society. However today its super-aging population and extremely low birth rate requires unprecedented numbers of overseas workers. During GPE 17 we will explore the themes of diversity in education and preparing our students for a globalized workforce. It will also serve as an opportunity to discuss ways to improve existing GPE programming and develop/introduce ideas for new programming and initiatives. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their research and best practices and will have ample time to network with fellow participants to help further international efforts on their home campuses.

Following the conference, there will be an optional cultural field seminar from the evening of May 22-May 25. During this seminar, participants will have a chance to explore Shimane: its 400 year-old castle in Matsue, the Grand shrine of Izumo Taisha, a traditional Japanese garden, and UNESCO world heritage site Iwami Silver Mine to learn about Japanese history, traditions, and customs.

Please email gpe17@u-shimane.ac.jp with any questions.

We hope to see you in Japan in May!