School Leaders from Around the World Coming to Toronto in One Year

TORONTO, Aug. 16 /CNW/ - One year from now, the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) World Convention will open in Toronto.  More than 2,000 school leaders from around the world are expected at the four-day event.

The Convention is being hosted by the Ontario Principals' Council, in partnership with the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario, l'Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes and the Ministry of Education.  It will be a unique opportunity for Ontario's school leaders to network with their provincial colleagues and to participate in structured opportunities with school leaders from around the world.

From August 15 - 18, 2011, principals, vice-principals, education leaders, researchers, academics, policy makers, government representatives and education professionals will gather in Toronto for this biennial event. 

"We are thrilled to welcome education leaders from around the world to Toronto, where this event will be held in a Canadian city for the first time.  The awarding of this bid to the OPC is recognition of the high quality, professional organization we have built since 1998," said Vicki Shannon, President of the Ontario Principals' Council.

The ICP is a global association of over 40 school leadership organizations.  It represents over 135,000 school leaders across five continents and is a major voice for the promotion of educational leadership.

The 2011 conference will provide numerous professional development opportunities to school leaders, who are always striving to learn new skills related to promoting student success.  To date, speakers include

• Order of Canada recipient Stephen Lewis
• Juliette Powell, co-founder of The Gathering Think Tank and author of 33 Million People in the Room
• Jennifer James, urban cultural anthropologist
• Michael Fullan, author, consultant and former advisor to Premier Dalton McGuinty
• Sir Michael Barber, former Chief Adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"The role of the school principal has changed and expanded dramatically over the past decade.  It is critical that school leaders take part in ongoing professional learning.  This convention will bring together the best that the world has to offer in terms of education leadership," said Andrew Blair, President of the International Confederation of Principals and Past-President of the Australian Secondary Principals Association.

The Ontario Principals' Council is the professional association representing more than 5,000 principals and vice-principals in Ontario's public elementary and secondary schools.  Established in 1998, the OPC advocates on behalf of public education and provides professional supports to its Members.  

For further information:

Peggy Sweeney
Senior Communications Consultant
Ontario Principals' Council
[phone]