The nation’s business leaders, academic experts and leaders in Asian education have joined Federal School Education Minister, Peter Garrett, at the second Ministerial Roundtable on Asian Literacy.

 

The roundtable focused its attention on the recently released Asian Century White Paper, and discussed how government, business and the education sector can work to increase Asian literacy and Asian language proficiency in the nation’s schools.

 

“If the White Paper objectives are to be realised for school education, we will not only require these partnerships, but we also need to start a conversation in our communities about what it means to be an Asia literate workforce for the Asian Century,” Mr Garrett said.

 

"Discussions this morning included strategies to communicate to Australian parents and our communities the benefits of studying Asian language and having a deeper understanding of Asian cultures.

 

“The growth in the economies of nations like China, India and Indonesia will provide fantastic opportunities for Australian businesses, and help create thousands of high-tech, high-skill and high wage jobs for Australians.