Client Media Release: Edal Winner
Christchurch Woman first New Zealander to win International Best Practice Award
Elizabeth Deuchrass, Director of Christchurch based company Elizabeth Deuchrass & Associates Ltd has spent the last twenty years encouraging schools and businesses to work together.
As a result of her efforts she has been awarded the seventh biannual International Global Best Award for 2004.
She is the first New Zealand person to win the international Global Best Award for the Pacific Ocean region from the
International Partnership Network; through a partnership she has facilitated using The EDAL® Way Process.
Elizabeth Deuchrass will be accompanied by Mr Daniel Melville, Principal Fernridge Primary School and travel to the
‘Global Challenges, Local Actions’ Conference in London in November.
Elizabeth Deuchrass will present two workshops highlighting the successful outcomes of her partnership work in NZ.
Mr Melville and Elizabeth will accept the Global Best Award for the Pacific Ocean region on behalf of Fernridge School,
the Department of Conservation and Elizabeth Deuchrass & Associates Ltd.
The partnership between the Department of Conservation and Fernridge School, in Wairarapa, was founded in 2000 using
Elizabeth’s unique approach of bringing together people from education and business to work on meeting their collective
needs.
The EDAL® Way focuses on bringing the school curriculum alive and raising student achievement, whilst assisting business
with operational tasks.
Student involvement in real business tasks, opens young peoples eyes to the relevance of what they are learning,
heightening their engagement and enthusiasm in their school work.
“Enterprise Education makes students and teachers aware of the world of work and career opportunities, and gives
employers a voice to future employees,” says Elizabeth. “Students need to be exposed to the role of business in society
as they travel through the education system, so they develop skills and attitudes required to take their place in the
world of work, either as an employee or an employer.
We need students using their innovation and creativity to explore developing their own businesses, as well as seeing
themselves as employees.”
Developing relationships based on understanding of each others operation, culture and goals is the key to building
successful, sustainable partnerships says Elizabeth. The EDAL® Way Process is being facilitated in schools and
businesses in Dunedin, Christchurch, West Coast, Marlborough and Porirua and the Wairarapa.
For more information on The EDAL® Way visit www.the-edal-way.co.nz
ENDS