In the last week of February, our primary school educators attended the Universities Australia Conference 2020, held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

The main theme of the conference was to encourage all academics to see their role as changemakers in order to advance the public good. Workshops covered a variety of themes surrounding this message, including sessions about civil society and its freedoms, social cohesion and democracy. The conference provided an opportunity for AMCI to be an exhibitor and show its support for the main theme of the conference Education Changes Lives.

The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG presented, The role of universities in modern democracies and civil society. His message focused on the responsibilities of academia to inspire and motivate their students in ‘inculcating the spirit of liberty to preserve democracy for future generations’.

This event provided a valuable opportunity for our primary school educators to showcase their resources and explain how democracy, civil society and the rule of law is strengthened by education. The primary resources were well received and will be valuable not only for current teachers but those at university studying Primary Teaching.