From: Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness

Co-organized by

Asia-Pacific Federation of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

And

Srinakharinwirot University,
Chulalongkorn University,
King Monkut's University of Technology Thonburi,
Ministry of Education,
Office of the National Education Commission, Thailand
For more information:

The Biennial International Conference on Giftedness
7^th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness
"Igniting Children's Potentials and Creativity"
August 12 - 16, 2002
Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok,Thailand

The 7^th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness in Bangkok, Thailand, is a biennial international conference where members of the gifted and talented community worldwide to meet in the Asia-Pacific region to share their work, experiences and a common goal to support the education of gifted and talented children.

In this technical conference, not only hundreds of educators, teachers, researchers, administrators, policy makers and parents have a good opportunity to exchange their ideas and research findings on Gifted Education, but also the related professional associations from around the world. Strategies for future Gifted Education development are foreseen.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. The city has managed to preserve its cultural heritage. The soaring roofs and gleaming spires of the Grand Palace and the city's many historical temples present the visitors with a picture of medieval Oriental wonder; the very stuff of Eastern fairytales. Cruising the Chao Phraya river and the remaining canals which once made Bangkok the "Venice of the East" offers a glimpse of traditional riverine lifestyles, affording insights into the history and character of this wondrous city. Coupled with the lively and peaceful 'Siamese smile' the exodous Thai food and fruits always create an ever memory of the country.

Venue and Accomodation

Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok and its Bangkok Convention Center, is an official hotel and conference's venue. Being located on Vibhavadee Rangsit Highway, it offers easy access to both the Bangkok International Airport and down-town. Its 26-storey V-shape tower provides 70% of the guestrooms with a magnificent view of Chatuchak Park, as well as the impressive Bangkok skyline. The 6 storey Central Department Store, Shopping Center, Cinema Theaters are accessible from the hotel's mezzanine floor. The famous Chatuchak Park and Chatuchak flea market (weekend market), where a wide selection of goods are sold at bargain price, are adjecent to the hotel. (contact: www:centralhotelsresorts.com for additional information). Early reservation is encouraged as a limited number of rooms have been reserved for attendees at conference rate. Additional rooms will be availble at alternate hotels with varying rates. (for more details, contact the APF Thailand Liaison Office at pichaksiri@yahoo.com).

Pre-Conference: August 12, 2002 (9:00 -12:00 hrs.)

A half day pre-conference sessions provide an opportunity for audiences to hear in-dept presentations as demand.

Presenters include: Klaus K. Urban, Germany; Dorothy Sisk, USA; June Maker, USA; Robert W. Seney, USA; Maria McCann, Australia; Ching-chih Kuo & Lanwan Chang, Taiwan.

Theme : "Igniting Children's Potentials and Creativity"

Covering a wide range of Gifted subjects:

• Curriculum
• Programming
• Identification
• Thinking Skills
• Psychology & Guidance
• Gifted Children with Special Needs
• Disadvantaged Giftedness
• Legal, Policies and Procedures
• Others

The conference begins on Monday evening August 12, with the President's Welcome Reception. The official opening ceremony will be on August 13, with an opening address from Thailand, the host country, and immediately followed by a keynote address from a Nobel Laureate. Daily plenary sessions accommodate a number of keynotes by: Klaus K. Urban, Germany, President of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children; Dorothy Sisk, USA, Past Director of the U.S. Office of Gifted and Talented, Past President of the Association for Gifted and the American Creativity Association; June Maker, USA, innovator of DISCOVER Project, University of Arizona; Maria McCann, Australia, Immediate Past President of Asia-Pacific Federation of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

The daily academic program also includes a variety of sessions; panels (symposia), presentation of individual research papers, and workshops covering various issues realted to both theory and practices in Gifted Education.

The closing ceremony will be on Friday August 16, 2002 and finish at 3.00 pm.

Language: Official conference language is English. However, in some sessions, simultaneous English-Mandarine and English-Thai translation are available.

School visit: August 15, 2002

The program includes a visit to a special school of interest. Limited seats available for each school visit, early registration is recommended.

• The School with gifted education program
  (Patai Udom Suksa School - www.patai.th.edu)
• A special school for Sciences training
  (Mahidol Wittayanusorn School - www.mwit.mahidol.ac.th)
• A special school for performing arts
  (Patravadi Theatre - www.patravaditheatre.com)

Special programs

In addition, the 7^th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness in Bangkok offers the following features:

Parents Forum: Parents of gifted and talented children from different parts of the world will have an opportunity to share their experiences together in dealing with the special needs of their children. They can gain more knowledge on giftedness from mutual learning and from discussing their issues of concerns with famous gifted resource persons. Their suggestions for state and school involvement in gifted education would be very worthy for the host government and governments of the participating countries.

Teachers Forum: Teachers, both in Gifted and non-gifted educational classes will form a forum and share their experiences in class with gifted and talented students. They will broaden their knowledge and skills on identifying and supporting the gifted and talented children through mutual learning and inputs provided by experts in this field. Compilation of appropriate educational materials produced by them could be one of the very important results of the forum. Other outcome could be in form of guide and/or manual for teachers who are interested in dealing with the gifted and talented children.

Organizations & Associations Forum: Members and officers of various regional organizations & associations related to Gifted and Talented children around the globe can utilize this gathering as a 'kick off' event for joint movements for the better world of the gifted and talented as well as the better world for all. Their roles and performances in supporting gifted and talented children in each regions could be discussed. Legal and policy issues would be evaluated by them and plans for addressing them would be foreseen. It is also anticipated that this forum, organizing partially in pararel to the conference would at least come up with a 'Gifted education' declaration which can be presented to the world and the host government.

Organizations may decide to start a more intensive cooperation among them so that they can support each others in a greater extent.

Furthermore, all organizations are invited to display their activities and success to the conference and general audiences. Free space is provided to each association that contacts the APF Thailand Liaison Office in advance at email address: pichaksiri@yahoo.com.

Children and Youth Summit: August 12-16, 2002
Theme : "Rising to the New Challenge"

Concurrent to the main conference, Children and Youth of age 9-18 (divided into groups) from all countries are invited to join the Children and Youth Summit under the theme: "Rising to the New Challenge" during August 12-16, 2002. The 100 children and youth from around the world plus 50 Thai children will get together. They will be exposed to a cross-culture education; undergo various problems solving process; work through stations in Science & Technology, Social & Culture, Music, Arts & Literatures; develop innovative joint global projects for the better world and have opportunity to meet the Nobel Laureate. They would present their final projects to the main conference and join the closing ceremony on August 16. Some inputs from selective outstanding resource persons are envisaged to stimulate them to be even more creative and integrative. Cross cultural learning and entertaining are also included. Each person shall register themselves as an independent individuals. Early bookings are encouraged.

Parent & Child Program: August 12-16, 2002

This new and separated program is organized for the Gifted and Talented Children whose ages are 3 to 9. These children, however, will carry on their works and assignements with close supervision from their parents or guadians. The couple (adult and child) would be asked to work out some self development activities, cultural peformance and analysis for better international understanding, and trips to remarkable places in Bangkok and neighboring cities. The trips would not only make them enjoy but also igniting them for some fundamental learning about lifes and the future. Special inputs will also be provided to the parents on how to deal and support their children.

The couples will join the main conference to present their reports or performance at the closing ceremony.

Exhibition: A space of 1,000 sqm. is allocated for the exhibition and display with international and local contents plus various live and impressive activities to meet the interest of 20,000 visitors and participants. This will be one of the biggest exhibitions for gifted education. You will find information of universities & colleges with courses & programs for gifted education, a large collection of books, journals on gifted and talented worldwide, gifted resources, display of award-winning educational materials and media. You will have opportunity to meet and discuss with representatives from associations, schools, teachers, and parents around the world. You may see the representatives from international publishers and make purchase for books, some with signed copies, at special prices. We provide free display & exhibition spaces and also extent our invitations to all that are interested to participate. For further information and booking, please contact: APF Thailand Liaison Office, email: pichaksiri@yahoo.com.

Additional Excursion and Tours: To learn more about culture and lives of people in Thailand, it is recommended to make additional stay prior or after the conference, information can be obtained from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, website: www.tat.or.th. A variety of full-day and half-day tours are offered to family and friends accompanying conference attendees during the conference period. These include Grand Palace and Emerald Bhddha Temple; Bangkok City Tour; Floating Market; Ayutthya the Former Capital; Thai Puppet Theatre; Thai Boxing; etc.

The Asia-Pacific Federation of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children and the Thailand Organizing Committee are looking forward to welcoming you to this 7^th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness in Bangkok, Thailand.

Registration Information:

Conference (August 12-16, 2002) Fee includes conference program, souvenirs and proceedings; President's Welcome Reception; Opening Ceremony, Farewell Dinner; lunches and coffee breaks during conference (Aug 13-16); a school visit.

Pre-registration
(received by May 15, 2002)
USD 350.-

Registration
(received after May 15, 2002)
USD 390.-

Special Group Registration of 20+:
(received by May 15, 2002)

USD 300.-
(received after May 15, 2002)
USD 340.-

(Only available for pre-registration through organization or institution.)

Accompany Person registration: Fee includes President’s Welcome Reception; Opening Ceremony, Farewell Dinner; and souvenirs.

Pre-registration
(received by May 15, 2002)
USD 70.-

Registration
(received after May 15, 2002)
USD 90.-

Optional Pre-conference Workshops (August 12, 2002, 9.00 -12.00 hrs.) USD 50.- per participant for one session.

Children and Youth Summit (August 12-16, 2002): Fee includes all Summit sessions and activities; Summit package & souvenirs; accommodation (nights of August 12-15) and all meals during summit from dinner of Aug 12 till lunch of Aug 16); and Certificate.

Pre-registration
(received by May 15, 2002)
USD 310.-

Registration
(received after May 15, 2002)
USD 340.-

Parent & Child Program (August 12-16, 2002): Fee for a pair includes all program sessions and activities, souvenirs; accommodation (nights of August 12-15) and all meals during summit from dinner of Aug 12 till lunch of Aug 16); and Certificates.

Pre-registration per pair
(received before May 15, 2002)
USD 500.-

Registration
(received after May 15, 2002)
USD 540.-

A pair is consisted of one parent member and one child whose age is below 9.

Each additional member, either adults or children is subject to pay a fee of USD 250 and will be lodged in the same bedroom.

Note: The concurrent Children and Youth Summit; and Parent and Child Program will take part in a different venue from the main conference.

Payment Method:
by check or money order made payable to "APF Thailand Liaison Office",
or by bank transfer to:
Account name: APF Thailand Liaison Office
Account number: 032-4-19642-8
Banking: Siam Commercial Bank pcl., Asoke Branch,

32/20 Sukhumvit 21 Road, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

Bank Reference Code: SICOTHBK

and advise APF Thailand Liaison Office via fax : 66-2-2584006 or 66-2-2602601 or email: pichaksiri@yahoo.com,

Conference Hotel Reservation: A limited number of rooms have been reserved for the conference. Reservation must be received by June 27, 2002 to qualify for conference rates. Reservation request after June 27, 2002, or after the reserved block of rooms have been filled will be confirmed on a space-available basis. All rooms are subject to a 10% Service Charge and 7% VAT (value-added tax).

Room Rate:
Single Room USD 75++/room/night
Twin Room USD 85++/room/night

The above rates are inclusive of American Breakfast, and following privileges: 5% discount card at Central Department Store located in the same complex, complimentary use of exercise equipment at the hotel fitness center and sauna, complimentary shuttle bus to city and Chatuchak weekend Market.

All participant bookings are required to be guaranteed by a major credit card.

For conference hotel reservation, please contact:

Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok & Bangkok Convention Center, Ref: the 7^th Asia Pacific Conference on Giftedness
attention: Mr. Disapong Weerayuth,
Tel: 66-2-541 1234
Fax: 66-2-541 1965, 66-2-541 1089
Email: centel@chr.co.th www:centralhotelsresorts.com
www:sofitel.com

For further information, contact:
Asia-Pacific Federation of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

APF Thailand Liaison Office
Room 936, Office of the President Building,
Srinakharinwirot University,
Sukhumvit 23 Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-2602601, 66-2-6641000 ext 5632
Fax: 66-2-2584006 or 66-2-2602601
Email: pichaksiri@yahoo.com,
www.thaigifted.org, www.thaigifted.com