The 2006 CIEE Annual Conference took place in Sevilla, Spain from November 8-11. The theme, “Making the Most: Seizing Every Opportunity to Learn Abroad” provided international education leaders and colleagues from around the globe a forum to discuss ways to maximize student learning outcomes. A few of the sessions presented were:
- Who’s Learning What? Exploring the Myths and Realities of Short-Term Study Abroad Programs
- Experience-Based Learning: Creating New Opportunities for Students
- Linkages between Pre-Departure, On-Site, and Re-Entry Program to Promote Learning throughout the Education Cycle
Three pre-conference workshops and over 35 sessions were held during the conference. Click here to read the conference program which describes the sessions and workshops.
The Opening Plenary Session and the reception that followed took place at the conference venue, the Barcelo Gran Hotel Renacimiento on Wednesday evening. The Opening Plenary speaker was Robert Malley from International Crisis Group. At ICG, Mr. Malley directs analysts based in Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Baghdad. Together they report on the political, social, and economic factors affecting the risk of conflict and make policy recommendations to address these threats.
A Networking Lunch took place on November 9 with the Meet CIEE Merienda following in the afternoon. At the Merienda, attendees met with CIEE staff from around the world to learn more about each CIEE program and the culture of the host location. That evening, the Annual Conference Reception was held at the beautiful Villa Luisa, which was built in 1925 as a private residence for the 1929 World’s Fair. Located in one of the most elegant areas of Sevilla, it is considered an architectural marvel, including Neo-Mujear styles both in the villa and the lovely gardens.
On November 10, the Annual Luncheon featured Dr. Pilar del Castillo Vera, who is a Europarliamentarian for the Popular Party of Spain and was the Minister of Education, Culture, and Sport from 2000 to 2004. Dr. del Castillo is also a tenured professor in Political Science at the National University for Long Distance Education and has published several books and articles on political parties, culture and politics, and electoral behavior.
The Breakfast Plenary and Business meeting was held on November 11 with Stevan Trooboff and Michael Vande Berg of CIEE giving the Plenary Address which reviewed the preliminary results of a survey designed to identify the extent to which employers value study abroad in hiring new and recent college graduates. Representatives from the CIEE Academic Consortium Board and Board of Directors also provided an update on CIEE activities.
Click here to see a slideshow of the conference.