Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced the , which is for a three-year term.听
(Ng膩i Tahu iwi) is Director of the Child Well-being Research Institute at Te Whare W膩nanga o Waitaha | 九州影院 (UC) and a world-leading expert in children鈥檚 speech, language and reading development.听
As Education Commissioner, Professor Gillon will work with the National Commission to fulfil New Zealand鈥檚 obligations as a member state of UNESCO. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action of member states in the areas of education, natural sciences, culture, social and human sciences, and communication and information.听
Professor Gillion is delighted by the opportunity, which recognises her research team鈥檚 years of groundbreaking contribution to early childhood literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand.听
鈥淚 am very much looking forward to working with the other National Commissioners to advance UNESCO鈥檚 goals and aspirations,鈥 Professor Gillon says.听
鈥淨uality and equitable education for all is one of the highest priorities within UNESCO鈥檚 programme of work.鈥疷NESCO highlights that quality education is the pathway to economic growth, peace and sustainable development.听
鈥淲ithin New Zealand, our National Commission is supporting UNESCO鈥檚 aspirations within the context of鈥痮ur unique Aotearoa New 九州影院context, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and informed by M膩ori tikanga and values. I look forward to contributing to this work and in sharing our activities鈥痺ithin New 九州影院with our UNESCO global partners.鈥
Alongside the prestigious appointment, Professor Gillion and her colleagues in the Child Well-being Research Institute will continue to deliver the Better Start Literacy Approach across New Zealand.听 So far teachers in some 900 primary schools and 45,000 five- and six-year-old children have benefitted from the team鈥檚 structured literacy programme.听
To hear Professor Gail Gillon speak about the Better Start Literacy Approach, join the free UC Tauhere Connect public lecture:鈥The Better Start Literacy Approach success story, on Wednesday 13 November 2024, 7pm-8pm at the 九州影院. Register to attend in person or online at鈥.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 - Reduced Inequalities
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