BAGUIO CITY (Dec.14) — Some 2000 foreign nationals and local educators will be here from January 16 to 21, 2006 for the First International Learning Styles Leadership Conference (ILSLC).

This was announced by Henry Tenedero, president of the Center for Learning and Teaching Styles of the Philippines, during the “Kapihan sa Baguio” sponsored weekly by the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE).

The educators’ conference will feature “winning strategies” on leadership; new techniques of teaching and learning; and how the delegates implement these changes in their respective countries.

The dominant theme of the conference is “leadership styles across cultures” and is divided into two strands. The first strand’s theme is “Improving quality in educational systems” which focuses on promoting quality education and protecting the academic freedom, both of the students and the educators.

The target participants of this strand are Department of Education (DepEd) national officials, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), regional directors, superintendent, public and private school administrators, supervisors, master teachers, and subject specialists.

The second strand is particularly intended for the multi-sectoral groups, with its theme “Championing Change and Innovation for Multi-Sector Organizational Effectiveness.” It aims to establish cooperation among the education sector, the community and the government.

Invited countries include Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Finland, Malaysia, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, United States and the Philippines.

The conference will focus more on the latest trends in effective teaching and learning adapted abroad. Tenedero said that it would not be the typical approach, rather, there will be creative animations, the combination of learning by doing, and the integration of affective, cognitive and highly participative ways of learning.

“We believe that one week will come and pass but the spirit of the conference will be sustained for a long time,” Tenedero said.

Baguio City Vice-mayor Peter Rey Bautista confirmed that the City Council unanimously approved this project since one of the primary objectives of Baguio is to uplift its quality of education.

Bautista also mentioned that this conference will usher in the Panagbenga will be participated by people with really intellectual minds all merging in this beautiful city, “ Bautista said during the Kapihan.

One of the focus areas of the Cordillera Regional Development Plan is to become a “Prime Education Center not only in the North but in the entire country that the Baguio City Council welcomes this conference in pursuit of caliber and quality education in Baguio City,” Bautista added.

City councilor and chairperson of the committee on tourism Pinky Rondez said that although tourism is a major source of income in Baguio it is only seasonal unlike the educational sector, which is all-year round.

Rondez pointed out that this conference will benefit both the education and tourism sectors of the city.

“There are about 2000 expected participants who will come up to Baguio for the conference and this will surely stir up the economic activities of the city,” Rondez was quoted as saying.

The city council also ensures the participation of the public and private schools in Baguio since the DepED has already issued a memorandum for the ILSLC. In addition, CHED has officially endorsed this conference and is presumed to bring in more participants from the tertiary level.

Registration is now ongoing with a fee of P5,500. Discounts can be availed of on a first-come-first-served basis. # Ma. Katherine Joy del Rosario/UP Intern for NORDIS