News release

Nova Scotia Attracts Swedish Educators

Education and Culture (to July 1999)

Educators from Sweden leave Halifax today after a week of professional development in the area of entrepreneurship.

Called the Summer Institute, this week-long immersion into entrepreneurship was developed by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development. The conference gave 26 Swedish and 18 Nova Scotian delegates the opportunity to participate in workshops, to hear keynote speeches and to join local young entrepreneurs for a special luncheon. The session began Aug. 9 at the Lord Nelson Hotel.

Keynote speakers shared their entrepreneurship experiences. Sean Drohan, owner of the Halifax Trading and Guide Post, kicked off the week with a motivational speech. Melodie Stewart, co-owner of Pro-Net Business Connections Inc., spoke at a reception where delegates could meet other educators, private sector organizations and government partners also interested in entrepreneurship.

"The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development produces the Summer Institute because we believe professional development in the area of entrepreneurship is important for educators," said Chris Curtis, chief entrepreneurship officer at the centre. "Part of our philosophy is that the best way to learn is by doing. In order to teach kids about entrepreneurship it's important to have their teachers experience activities like running a business for a day."

The Summer Institute, held every August since 1993, is a five-day event that supports educators interested in infusing entrepreneurship into their curriculum. Educators take a week of their summer vacation to engage in an interactive learning environment and are provided with materials, ideas, and teaching/learning strategies for encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and initiative in the classroom.

Along with workshops and running a business for a day, delegates take part in a luncheon with local entrepreneurs. "I enjoyed talking with young entrepreneurs at the lunch on Tuesday," said Ann-Sofi Forssell, an educator from Sweden. "Hearing students talk about what is important to them in school is important to me as a teacher trying to give them the tools they need for the future."

The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development is a joint venture funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture and the Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic Diversification, managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism.