AMC 2024 - Conference General Discussions

Dear Ms Susanna,

Thank you for your appreciation of the conference theme, "Peace is an action, not a hope," and for your thoughtful question regarding the competition.

We're glad to hear that the theme resonated with you and that you valued the opportunity to connect with peers from various countries. Regarding your query about the organizers' participation in the competition, we wanted to clarify a few key points:

1. Leading by Example and Encouragement: When we decided to participate in the competition, it was not only to lead by example but also to stimulate participation from all teams. We initiated our project 6 months ago, at a time when we were uncertain about the level of response the action plan submissions would garner. By engaging actively, we aimed to encourage other teams to start working on their projects, demonstrating our commitment to the theme and fostering a spirit of collaborative effort.

   
   

2. Integrity of the Competition: The outcome of the competition was determined entirely by the votes of attendees, not by the organizers. While there was a significant prize at stake, the winning decision was made by the voters based on the merits of the presentations. It so happened that the team from Greentree won, but this was purely the choice of the voters.

   
   

3. Separation of Duties: It’s crucial to highlight that the team from Greentree that participated in the competition was different from the team managing the collection of action plan research papers. This ensured that there was no overlap in responsibilities and that the action plan team from Greentree were not able to see other team's entries without any prior knowledge of their content.

We hope this addresses your concerns and illustrates our commitment to transparency and fairness in all aspects of the conference. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, we are more than happy to discuss this with you.

Thank you once again for being a part of this enriching experience.

Dear Ms Safinah,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the recent Asia Montessori Conference. We value your input and are always looking for ways to improve the experience for all attendees.

1. Regarding the food provided: We hosted participants from over 20 nations, and in an effort to accommodate everyone’s dietary restrictions and preferences in the simplest manner, we chose to serve vegetarian meals. We apologize if this choice did not meet your specific dietary needs. We appreciate your suggestion and will consider including more varied food options that are clearly labeled, including halal options, in future events.

   
   

2. Translation earphones: We're sorry for any confusion regarding the availability of translation earphones. They were indeed available at the registration counter just outside the event hall. We will ensure that future communications clearly inform all participants about where and how to obtain necessary equipment to improve accessibility.

   
   

3. Regarding the meditation session: The session was designed as a non-religious activity aimed at helping participants clear their minds and prepare for the discussions to follow. We understand that the term "meditation" can be associated with specific religious practices, but please rest assured that there was no religious intent behind this exercise. However, we acknowledge your concern and will consider using more neutral terms like "mindfulness" or "reflective pause" to avoid any cultural or religious misunderstandings in the future.

   
   

4. Additional suggestions: Your points about punctuality, registration efficiency, and the availability of resources are well-taken. We are committed to improving these aspects at our future conferences to enhance the experience for all attendees.

   
   

We thank you again for your feedback, which is invaluable in helping us enhance our conference. We hope to welcome you again next year in Vietnam, with improvements that reflect your suggestions.