This free online event is part of the Inclusive Practice in Action (IPIA) Global, Inclusive Leadership series. This will be a conversation / discussion and a networking opportunity for delegates, in preparation for our annual IPIA gathering on 23 March.
As Leaders, and we are all leaders somewhere in our lives, we all have things to learn, unlearn or relearn and that’s ok.
What do the words global inclusive leadership mean to you and how does that fit in with how you live and experience your life?
Come along and join academic Maria Guajardo (Soka University, Tokyo), social justice champion Roger Wilson (Black Lives in Music) and IPIA curator Brenda Rattray in this safe space where, as a leader, you can share honest experiences about your leadership journey. You will be listened to and heard.
We will bring our whole selves to this session and hope that you will bring your whole selves too!
We aim to set the Zoom space up in a way that will allow all in attendance to be authentic. The thinking is about global inclusive leadership, yet we are all coming from different cultures and backgrounds.
You will have the opportunity to explore personal and relational leadership challenges and have space to set your own goals. We can each begin to enter a process where we share, reflect, and think about whether we need to set new intentions, and how to move forward with our leadership journeys. What small steps might you take to begin to get us there…………
This session is very much process based, with discussions and exercises to lay the foundations for our in-person IPIA gathering on 23 March.
We would like to encourage delegates to attend both IPIA events (23 Feb and 23 March) if possible as they are connected.
We believe that there is the potential to be a leader in all of us, therefore, this event is open to everyone, whatever stage you are at in your leadership journey; whether you are part of a team, lead young people as a teacher or creative practitioner, are a parent or carer leading a household, or a student or young person leading change for the future. Even if you already lead an organisation, our IPIA events provide an open and honest space to explore challenging topics within a nurturing environment.
Examples of people who might like to attend are:
We particularly welcome individuals who the world labels a ‘minority’, or who have been made to feel ‘other’, whatever stage of your career you are at. We will endeavour to support everyone throughout this event and encourage all to do whatever you need to do to look after your psychological safety whilst on Zoom.
We also welcome organisations and individuals from across the sector who wish to explore inclusive practice and take action to change for the better.
Maria Guajardo is a Professor in the field of Leadership Studies at Soka University, Tokyo, Japan. Previously she served as Dean and Vice-President, with the distinction of being the first female and the first non-Japanese to serve in both of these positions. Her research and publications focus on women, leadership, critical pedagogy, and globalization in higher education.
She recently published two book chapters: Global Citizenship Education and Humanism: A Process of Becoming and Knowing (2021), and The Space in Between: A Letter to an Immigrant Child (2022). She is currently co-editing the book: Value Creating Education: Teacher’s Perceptions and Practices (in press).
Her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion has taken her from Malaysia to Mumbai, and from Singapore to South Africa. A deep commitment to access and justice frames her presence with students in the tradition of bell hooks, Paulo Freire, Parker Palmer, and T. Makiguchi. Maria, a licensed clinical psychologist, daughter of Mexican immigrants, lives in Tokyo with her son, and is working on her fourth language, Japanese.
Roger Wilson is co-founder of Black Lives in Music, an initiative dedicated to addressing better representation throughout the music industry. His experience is on both sides of the stage as musician, educator, tour manager and administrator. Conservatoire trained, he has worked extensively in the commercial, jazz and classical sector with a wide range of artists including James Brown and Quincey Jones. As an instrumental teacher and lecturer, Roger has worked throughout the UK music education sector at all levels. In recent years his work has focused on the professional development of aspiring young musicians. He is and continues to be a champion of social justice.
Brenda Rattray is a Curator of Sound Connections Workforce Development Programme, and is the Curator for Sound Connections’ annual Inclusive Practice in Action gathering. Brenda works internationally as an ‘Educator, expressive artist and empathetic leadership advocate’ and has travelled over 40 countries as a freelance creative artist, performer, and composer.
She has worked as a Choral Animateur, leading expressive workshops and performances and has also toured and run training courses internationally and in all areas of the community, including schools all over England, Wales and Ireland, for institutions and organisations such as the BBC Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Institute of Education, and Goldsmiths University where she has been an Associate Lecturer since 2003.
She has performed with numerous bands and performance groups, including the London Community Gospel Choir. Her book, ‘The joy of singing,’ is published by Faber 2008 and she receives commissions to write new music. Her commissions clients include Black Lives Matter and London Youth Choirs. She continues to write and release new material under Voice Expressions, the music school which she founded.
Brenda is an external examiner for Kingston University, and received an ‘Excellence in Education’ award in 2014 for her work with women who suffer domestic violence.
Alongside this free online session, delegates are invited to explore the theme of global, inclusive leadership through:
This is a free, online event, open to all as part of the Global, Inclusive Leadership series.
Training sessions, workshops, seminars and networking events.
If you have any suggestions about training and events that you would like to see in future, please contact Emily at emily@sound-connections.org.uk.
