Flinders University recently hosted a five week Australia Awards Fellowship program for educators from Myanmar, focused on human rights in education for people who are living with disability.

The Australia Awards Fellowship, ‘Human Rights, Social Protection, Education and Leadership in Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in Myanmar’, was led by Associate Professor Caroline Ellison and delivered by staff from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Ten principals and teachers took part from schools for children living with disability in Yangon, Myanmar, together with three members of the Myanmar Down Syndrome Association.

With technical skills training provided in areas including human rights, social protection, education and leadership theory and practice, emphasis was placed on reducing the abuse of children and adults living with disabilities.

Participants will now take their skills back to their Myanmar communities.

The training, completed on 22 March, was funded by the Australian Government. The University received funding of $297,558 last year to help professionals from South East Asia tackle issues relating to healthcare, water management and human rights.

Australia Awards Fellowships offer Australian organisations the opportunity to deepen and broaden their links with leaders and professionals in developing countries, by providing opportunities for Fellows to undertake short-term study and professional development.