Ilchi Lee

The 4^th Annual International Brain Education Conference on June 20, 2008 was co-sponsored this year by sections of the United Nations (UN), and focused on how to incorporate Brain Education’s understanding of the brain into meaningful educational reform.

While neuroscientific advances have led to much greater appreciation of the brain and behavior, there remains a huge chasm between those understandings and the way we normally do things, in areas from education of children to peace among nations. Within the brain lie the causes and solutions to the major problems that the UN and humanity care about. The premise of the Conference was that we must focus on the brain itself, and how to use it well, to create an authentic culture of global well-being, peace and prosperity.

Over 400 educators and parents from the United States participated in the conference, as well as educators and members of foreign IBREA chapters from South Korea, Japan, England, Germany, Israel, and Canada.

The Conference was hosted by the Korea Institute of Brain Science (KIBS) and the International Brain Education Association (IBREA) at the UN complex in New York City. According to organizers, this conference “marks a new era of awareness—that the future of education and hope for the earth depend essentially on how we access and use the brain.” It was co-sponsored by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and the Education Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status (CONGO), and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea.

This year’s conference also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948 to help safeguard human rights throughout the world. The Assembly at that time asked all UN member countries to publicize and disseminate the Declaration, especially in schools and other educational institutions. The Declaration of Human Rights reflects the same principles and practices that are taught through Brain Education programs. In fact, the Brain Education methods offer a way to make the declaration a reality in the world.

Attendees were treated to lectures on various topics such as the contribution of neuroscience to understanding culture and education; education for a culture of peace; practical strategies for enhancing concentration, memory, and creativity; and promoting physical health, emotional and social well-being, and higher achievement through an integrated focus on the brain. Participants also enjoyed Brain Education experiential exercises and a panel discussion of “The Future of Brain-Focused Education.”

Among the 15 distinguished speakers (and their topics) were:
Antonio Damasio, M.D., Ph.D, Director of the Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, author of Descartes’ Error (Neuroscience, Education and Culture)
Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., author of My Stroke of Insight, recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential persons (How to Use the Brain Well)
Ilchi Lee, President, University of Brain Education and IBREA (Brain Education – Our Hope for the Earth)
Eran Katz, Regional Coordinator for IBREA Israel and author of Secrets of a Super Memory (Unlimited Potential of the Brain)

Jessie Jones, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Center for Successful Aging, California State University, Fullerton (Brain Education for Successful Aging)
Dong-geun Seul, Commissioner of Education, Busan, South Korea (Character Education and Brain Education)
Warrington Parker, Jr., Ph.D., Vice President, IBREA USA (Brain Education in U.S. Schools)
Helene-Marie Gosselin, Director, UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, New York Office (Education for a Culture of Peace)
Hanifa Mezoui, Ph.D., Chief, NGO Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN (UN Millennium Development Goals).

>> Click here to read selected conference lecture abstracts

This conference follows the July 2007 announcement that KIBS was named an NGO in consultative status with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and a Brain Education presentation by Dr. Warrington Parker at the “Education for Human Rights Conference” sponsored by CONGO on January 17, 2008. That conference was also held in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The presentation, “Brain Education for Human Rights and Dignity”, provided Brain Education’s contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This co-sponsorship and recognition by the United Nations marks a significant growth for KIBS, IBREA, and Brain Education, providing an opportunity for many key people to become aware of and experience Brain Education.

1 Comments

CJMU June 25, 2008 67.98.229.10 Votes: +2	The Brain Education Conference at the United Nations was an historic event. I believe it has set in motion positive changes for all in attendance and the world at large. It was an honor and privilege to be there. I'm looking forward to seeing all that will happen due to this great event. Peace and Love with HSP report abuse vote down vote up