Program and Event

Laos Officials Learn about Education in Multicultural Environments

Dr. Chinn speaks at the Ministry of Education to administrators and educators.

Dr. Chinn thanks Vice Dean Mr. AthidOthai Chatouphonexay, Faculty of Education, for hosting his lecture at the National University

On April 3-4, more than 170 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Education, teachers, and students who will be future teachers, attended lectures by Dr. Philip Chinn, Professor Emeritus at California State University, on “Education in Multicultural Environments.”  Dr. Chinn is one of the leading American experts in this field.
 
Dr. Chinn described the many types of multicultural environments in the U.S., one of the most ethnically, religiously, and linguistic diverse nation in the world. He showed how teachers there help their students learn from one another in order to achieve the greatest educational success. Dr. Chinn noted that teachers have the power to influence students to learn to appreciate other cultures, promote understanding between people, and overcome stereotypes and discrimination. Without that, he said, children will not be able to reach their full potential in or outside of the classroom. According to Dr. Chinn, multicultural education should be a part of the curriculum from primary through university in diverse societies. Lao participants, in turn, described the situation in their country and how teachers and educators deal with ethnic and linguistic differences here.

Dr. Chinn’s visit was here is part of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing program to bring American scholars and experts to Laos to exchange ideas and improve mutual understanding on topics that are of interest to both our governments, including the very important subject of education.