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Full details now on GEM website www.gem.org.uk

Please note call for breakout session papers and members' presentations.

GEM Conference 2008

Heritage Learning and Social Change

Tuesday 2 September – Friday 5 September

Medway, Kent

Heritage learning can make a significant contribution to a functioning, stable modern society. This conference investigates the current socio-economic and cultural issues that are shaping heritage learning. Recognising the value of sharing best practice across the wider heritage sector, this conference examines the strategic and practical factors influencing the delivery of socially responsive learning and interpretation. In particular, it addresses how heritage learning can help to implement government policies such as Every Child Matters, Learning Outside the Classroom and the Five Hour Cultural Offer.

The experiences and opportunities offered will engage and inspire professionals from career-entry to senior management level.

Keynote speakers include Julia Unwin CBE, Director, Joseph Rowntree Foundation; John Holden, Head of Culture, DEMOS; Mick Waters, Curriculum Director, QCA; and Joe Hallgarten, Education Director, Creative Partnerships.

There will be breakout sessions exploring in more detail some of the issues raised in the morning’s keynote speeches (there is a call for papers). Afternoon study visits are planned to heritage sites in Kent which are adapting their learning provision to respond to and engage with social and economic change in the region. There are also professional development workshops and members’ presentations.

Evening events include meals at Chatham Historic Dockyard and Leeds Castle, and a jazz cruise on the coal-fired paddle steamer, Kingswear Castle. Also, there is an educational tour of Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, followed by a tasting session and supper.

The conference is based at the Medway Campus in Chatham, Kent, which was home to HMS Pembroke Royal Naval Barracks from 1903 to 1984. The splendid historic buildings have recently benefited from a £50 million investment which has restored for modern use the former glory of majestic buildings, such as the naval drill hall and the Pilkington Building, where the conference will be based.

For more details, visit www.gem.org.uk or contact the GEM office, [log in to unmask]