Johnny McIntyre has recently returned from a week
in the Northern Territory tutoring for Charles Darwin University Masters
Programme as part of the Mawul Rom/Master of Indigenous Knowledge’s intensive
cross cultural workshop.
Mawul Rom explores a unique space made possible
through the commitment of an organisational structure to respect both the
separation of power and the fragility of duel pedagogy[i].
Mawul Rom brings two cultures together to share
their different styles of teaching, learning, peacemaking and leadership. There are rare occasions when the concept of
the separation of power is applied in the creation of an
educational structure but when you think about education it is actually the
very process and practice of transferring power. It is the action of empowerment.
In this case the separation is between two
ancient, strong but equally under threat educational institutions. It is a structural agreement that allows
students from different sides of a divide (in this case Yolngu and Westminster
education systems) to partake in the course with a sense of safety, comfort and
belonging. They are not asked to leave
the refuge of their own cultural world view instead through collaboration; they
are encouraged to explore the unknown. It is this unknown that is always a challenge
to humanity because it is sheathed by fear.
“Mawul
Rom is a place that I have experienced the ‘Power of Dialogue’ as a bridge
towards understanding and the importance of ’Listening’ as a skill towards
wisdom. These are skills essential to creative
design and creating great people spaces.”
[i] Pedagogy
is; the holistic science of education. (wikipidia)
the principles, science, practice, theory or profession of
teaching. (Collins Dictionary)
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