What+is+it


 * Defining Asia Literacy - what is it? **

([|http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/verve/_resources/AEF_NationalStatement_[20Sept2011.pdf]]) This includes three broad areas:
 * A new **National Statement on Asia Literacy in Australian Schools** has just been released

//**Asia and its diversity **//

The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions.

Interactions between diverse environments and human activity shape the countries of Asia and its region and have influence globally.

**//Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia//**

The achievements of the peoples and countries of Asia have contributed and continue to contribute to world history and human endeavour, and their participation is fundamental to the well being and progress of the world.

The arts and literature of Asia have significant influence on the aesthetic and creative pursuits of people and societies in Australia, the region and globally.

**//Asia-Australia engagement//**

For Australians to be good regional and global citizens we need to understand, learn from, and engage and communicate with our Asian neighbours.

Australia is located in the Asia region and our histories from ancient times to the present are linked.

Australians have played and are playing important roles in major events and developments in the Asia region.

Australians of Asian heritage have influenced Australia’s history and continue to influence its dynamic culture and society.
 * The **//Australian Curriculum//** includes Asia as one of its perspectives across the curriculum. ([]) See an example of it being mapped with the other priorities in a primary school here: [[file:Mapping X curric priorities.pdf]] and further details mapping the Organising Ideas here: [[file:Mapping_Orgainisng_ideas_against_units_of_work_chart.docx]]
 * The **//[|Melbourne Declaration for Educational Goals for Young Australians]//** emphasises the importance of Asia literacy
 * The //**[|National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools]**// states that:
 * Asia literacy provides our young people with a competitive edge in today’s world and contributes to our national advantage.Young Australians who possess a regional and global mindset and skill-set will be able to build a creative, prosperous and socially cohesive Australia and develop harmonious regional and global communities that can work together to resolve the issues that affect us all.


 * SO what is a workable definition? **
 * Asia Literacy** is foundational and deep knowledge, skills and understanding about the //histories, geographies, societies, cultures, literatures and languages// of the diverse countries that make up our part of the world.
 * Asia literacy** has been coined as a term to cover the skills, knowledge and understandings that people need to // live and work effectively in Asia and with people from the Asia region.' //

More on [|what are Asia skills]and even some on [|why we need them].

You can **listen and watch some video clips** of Australians talking about how their Asia skills have made a big impression to their lives here and access some great [|notes] to help you think about their use with teachers, students or the school community A rubric showing what an Asia literate school might look like is widely used and available here
 * What does it look like? **

Global competencies which include Asia can be found here