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Skogsmulle International Symposium 2017 – keynote day 1

Attendees of this year’s 60th year celebration of the Skogsmulle International Symposium, led by Ignite Unlocking Potential, will see the event commence with an address from Alun Davies, Minister for Lifelong Learning.

Mr Davies said “My focus is ensuring we support our young people through their early years to make sure they have the best start in life. To achieve this we must learn from the best in the world so I am delighted to be joining what is sure to be a prestigious group of global education experts…”.

Day 1 will also include a presentation from keynote speaker, Claire Warden, the internationally renowned Educational Consultant and founder of the award winning Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Creiff, Scotland.

“Claire is one of a leadership group of consultants who make up the World Nature Collaborative, a working party of the World Forum Foundation. The purpose of the group is to develop a cohesive network and approach to experiential learning in outdoor spaces in a variety of climates. The nature collaborative brings together educators, landscape architects, environmentalists and health workers to support a multidisciplinary approach to outdoor educational provision.”

Also, Vikki Howells, Welsh Labour Assembly Member for Cynon Valley will be attending the first day of the symposium and said “As well as highlighting the vision and determination of Ignite Unlocking Potential, it will give us the chance to showcase Welsh approaches to early years learning through the Foundation Phase, learn from the best international practice and also develop solutions to problems like the ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’, where our young people feel disconnected from the natural world”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4255″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http://igniteup.co.uk/symposium2017/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4257″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http://igniteup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Sponsorship-Brochure.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The best outdoor classroom

Darren Lewis is founder of the social enterprise Cyfleon, that concentrates on community and charitable projects, and Ignite Unlocking Potential, the organisation that focuses on training and practitioner work. Side by side, both organisations utilise the outdoors to provide opportunity and unlock potential.

Darren became the first leader in Wales to become trained in the Skogsmulle pedagogy at the inaugural International Leaders course held in Stockholm in 2011 and said “Hosting this year’s Skogsmulle International Symposium 6 years later will unlock potential at a level I could not have envisaged during my training in Sweden.

Prior to the 1st day of the symposium, delegates also have the opportunity to attend either our ‘Whisky and Waterfalls’ tour, that includes a day of exploring waterfall country and a visit to the world-famous Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery, or our ‘Explore Dare Valley & Adventure’ for a day of walking the Darran trail and participating in Archery and Mountain Biking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]