"These last five years have taught me the importance of getting very close to children, making them 'co-conspirators' in making the breakthrough in our understanding of them and their understanding of us," he said.

Following the panelists' speeches was a question-and-answer period dealing with primary and adult education in countries including Mexico and South Africa.

School of Education student Melissa Spurrier, co-director of the Association of International Educators, said the panel discussion was designed to explain what kind of education is important.

"Everyone stresses education as the solution to many problems," Spurrier said. "However, education is such a broad concept. Some type of education must be better than others."

Because students in all schools should have an interest in education, the panel sought to provide an interdisciplinary perspective, Spurrier said.

Heidi Huber, the other co-director, said that this goal was definitely accomplished.

"There were a lot of people who weren't from the Ed School," she said.

Huber said she was also pleased because the discussion was very participatory.

"We're all going to be educators in some shape and form--whether you're a doctor or a business executive or a traditional teacher in a classroom," Huber said.