2004 Chair’s Letter, Michael Crossley

Membership Mailing, 2004

Dear BAICE Member

I am delighted, once again, to be writing to all members of BAICE with this annual mailing.  The last year has seen the world-wide resurgence of interest in our field reflected in numerous ways through BAICE.  These include a variety of substantial publications by members;  BAICE participation in UKFIET (United Kingdom Forum for International Education and Training) seminars and activities;  contributions to the 15th Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers (CCEM) (held in Edinburgh during October 2003);  and, of course, BAICE collaboration in the 7th Oxford International Conference on Education and Development (September 2003).  Our thanks go to our outgoing BAICE President, Prof Graham Vulliamy (University of York), for delivering the BAICE 2003 Presidential Address at Oxford, and to Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of St Lucia, for her BAICE/ Compare Lecture.

In strengthening our intellectual and professional links with related bodies, I am particularly pleased to report on the success of the first BAICE/BERA (British Educational Research Association) Day Conference.  This was held at Clifton Hill House, University of Bristol, and attracted much attention from both constituencies.  A report of this event is included here – and was recently published in Research Intelligence, the BERA Newsletter (November 2003).  Plans are in train to arrange a follow-up event in 2004 – and we hope this may become an annual feature in both associations’ calendars.  BAICE Day Conferences also continue to thrive – with details of one scheduled for May 2004, at the University of London, Institute of Education, being enclosed.  Do put this in your diary, and remember that the Executive Committee will be delighted to consider proposals for other BAICE sponsored day conferences and activities from members.

Looking further ahead, the 2004 BAICE Conference will be held from 3rd – 5th September, at the University of Sussex, on the theme ‘Education in the 21st Century:  Conflict, Reconcilliation and Reconstruction’.  Further details and an application form are enclosed.  Our new BAICE President, Prof Lynn Davies (University of Birmingham), will deliver the 2004 Presidential Address, drawing upon her recently published book Education and Conflict:  Complexity and Chaos (London:  Routledge Falmer).  Members are also reminded to plan for the forthcoming XII World Congress of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES) to be held in Cuba, from 25th – 29th October 2004, on the theme of ‘Education and Social Justice’ (see http://12wcces.cujae.edu.cu).

The new BAICE website (www.baice.ac.uk) is now up and running thanks to Pauline Rose, our Website Manager.  Do let Pauline have relevant material for possible addition to the website.  Our Secretary, Elizabeth McNess, would also welcome suggestions for possible future BAICE nominations to the Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.

Finally, along with the minutes of the last AGM and other enclosures, you will find a copy of your BAICE Renewal Form enclosed (unless you already have a standing order) from our Membership Secretary, Angeline Barrett.  Please return this a soon as possible – this is always a great help, and it ensures that you do not miss any copies of our excellent journal, Compare!

With very best wishes to all for a productive and enjoyable 2004.

Michael Crossley

Professor of Comparative &International Education

Chair:  BAICE

University of Bristol