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Education Show, NEC, Birmingham,
22-24 March 2007
22.03.07
Schools encouraged to participate in ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ to support the study of the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Understanding Slavery have announced the launch of a new Citizen Resource and ‘The Big Conversation 2007’, a national competition, debate and showcase to encourage Key Stage 3 (KS3) students to explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.
Visitors to this year’s Education Show (NEC, Birmingham, 22-24 March) are set to get a sneak preview of what the Citizen Resource and ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ will involve by picking up a booklet, containing key calendar dates and an order form for the Citizen Resource, at the DfES stand (PP-H52) in the Policy in Practice area.
Secondary schools across England can also request the summary booklet and register their interest by emailing: enquiries@thebigconversation2007.com.
This education project, to be launched for KS3 students in the summer term, has been devised to engage young people in the histories and legacies of the transatlantic slave trade. It also provides a topical link to the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in the British Empire this year[1].
The Citizen Resource, a printed pack for teachers and corresponding website for students, will be framed by a set of research questions linked to the Citizenship curriculum. The project will explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its many legacies, while supporting the development of research, analysis and debating skills.
Schools are encouraged to enter their resulting research into a national competition – ‘The Big Conversation 2007’. In line with the printed pack and website, the competition will focus on the following four themes: Activism, Race and Representation, Citizenship and Routes. Students wishing to enter the competition will be asked to work together under the guidance and supervision of their teacher(s), to produce a creative piece of documentary work – a newspaper article, audio piece or short film.
On 6 December 2007 students from winning schools in each of the regions will be invited to showcase their work and take part in ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ debate to expand and discuss the issues highlighted in their study.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Understanding Slavery - www.understandingslavery.com
Understanding Slavery is a five-year national education project, which began in April 2003 with funding from the DCMS and DfES as part of the Strategic Commissioning National/Regional Museum Partnerships Programme.
The project has been developed by the National Maritime Museum, National Museums Liverpool, British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol City Museums, Galleries and Archives, and Hull Museums and Art Gallery.
Understanding Slavery seeks to encourage teachers, educators and students to examine the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies through the museums’ collections and schemes of work within the National Curriculum, particularly History and Citizenship at Key Stage 3 and 4.
The Government’s role
The bicentenary marks an important opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. The Government wants to ensure that the best possible legacy is achieved by marking the bicentenary in the following ways across the country:
Reflecting on the past
Looking to the future
The Government wants the bicentenary to be owned by local communities as much as central Government. The Government’s approach will encourage and empower grassroots organisations, local authorities, faith groups and national organisations to arrange commemorative activities.
The Deputy Prime Minister chairs an informal advisory group of influential stakeholders to help encourage action across the cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that the bicentenary makes a national impact and is relevant to local communities across the country.
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the lead partner for Understanding Slavery. The largest museum of its kind in the world, it is housed in impressively modernized historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and 17th-century Queen’s House. The Museum works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The Museum welcomes over 1.5 million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre for education and research. For more information visit www.nmm.ac.uk.
Issued on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Understanding Slavery by Trimedia Harrison Cowley.
For further information please call
Nicola Richards
+44 (0) 20 7025 7500
nicola.richards@trimediahc.com
Vicky Page
+44 (0) 20 7025 7500
vicky.page@trimediahc.com
Schools encouraged to participate in ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ to support the study of the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Understanding Slavery have announced the launch of a new Citizen Resource and ‘The Big Conversation 2007’, a national competition, debate and showcase to encourage Key Stage 3 (KS3) students to explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.
Visitors to this year’s Education Show (NEC, Birmingham, 22-24 March) are set to get a sneak preview of what the Citizen Resource and ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ will involve by picking up a booklet, containing key calendar dates and an order form for the Citizen Resource, at the DfES stand (PP-H52) in the Policy in Practice area.
Secondary schools across England can also request the summary booklet and register their interest by emailing: enquiries@thebigconversation2007.com.
This education project, to be launched for KS3 students in the summer term, has been devised to engage young people in the histories and legacies of the transatlantic slave trade. It also provides a topical link to the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in the British Empire this year[1].
The Citizen Resource, a printed pack for teachers and corresponding website for students, will be framed by a set of research questions linked to the Citizenship curriculum. The project will explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its many legacies, while supporting the development of research, analysis and debating skills.
Schools are encouraged to enter their resulting research into a national competition – ‘The Big Conversation 2007’. In line with the printed pack and website, the competition will focus on the following four themes: Activism, Race and Representation, Citizenship and Routes. Students wishing to enter the competition will be asked to work together under the guidance and supervision of their teacher(s), to produce a creative piece of documentary work – a newspaper article, audio piece or short film.
On 6 December 2007 students from winning schools in each of the regions will be invited to showcase their work and take part in ‘The Big Conversation 2007’ debate to expand and discuss the issues highlighted in their study.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Understanding Slavery - www.understandingslavery.com
Understanding Slavery is a five-year national education project, which began in April 2003 with funding from the DCMS and DfES as part of the Strategic Commissioning National/Regional Museum Partnerships Programme.
The project has been developed by the National Maritime Museum, National Museums Liverpool, British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol City Museums, Galleries and Archives, and Hull Museums and Art Gallery.
Understanding Slavery seeks to encourage teachers, educators and students to examine the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies through the museums’ collections and schemes of work within the National Curriculum, particularly History and Citizenship at Key Stage 3 and 4.
The Government’s role
The bicentenary marks an important opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. The Government wants to ensure that the best possible legacy is achieved by marking the bicentenary in the following ways across the country:
Reflecting on the past
- raising awareness of the bicentenary
- commemoration of those who suffered as a result of the slave trade
- recognition of the efforts of those who struggled for abolition, including the enslaved and those who were formerly enslaved, states-people and ordinary citizens and of those who enforced the Act
Looking to the future
- poverty ad inequality on the African continent and in the Caribbean
- tackling inequality, discrimination and racism today, in particular for people of African and Caribbean heritage living in the UK
- tackling modern forms of slavery
The Government wants the bicentenary to be owned by local communities as much as central Government. The Government’s approach will encourage and empower grassroots organisations, local authorities, faith groups and national organisations to arrange commemorative activities.
The Deputy Prime Minister chairs an informal advisory group of influential stakeholders to help encourage action across the cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that the bicentenary makes a national impact and is relevant to local communities across the country.
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the lead partner for Understanding Slavery. The largest museum of its kind in the world, it is housed in impressively modernized historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and 17th-century Queen’s House. The Museum works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The Museum welcomes over 1.5 million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre for education and research. For more information visit www.nmm.ac.uk.
Issued on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Understanding Slavery by Trimedia Harrison Cowley.
For further information please call
Nicola Richards
+44 (0) 20 7025 7500
nicola.richards@trimediahc.com
Vicky Page
+44 (0) 20 7025 7500
vicky.page@trimediahc.com