Organised by Foundation for Outdoor Adventure and Council for Outdoor Education, Training and Recreation at Woodlands Centre, Chorley, Lancashire. Speakers include: Sir Chris Bonington, explorer and environmentalist, and Lord Rea of Eskdale, Labour health spokesman, House of Lords. Fee: Pounds 49. Details: 01654 712137.

NOVEMBER 30 IT’S GOOD TO LISTEN: PEER MEDIATION IN SCHOOLS

Organised by Mediation UK at Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1. Speakers include: Marigold Bentley, education adviser, Quaker Peace and Service; and Richard Cohen, director, School Mediation Associates (USA). Fee: Pounds 40 schoolsvoluntary organisations, Pounds 20 individuals, Pounds 10 unwaged. Details: Marigold Bentley, 0171 387 3601 or Jane Lord, 0117 924 1234.

DECEMBER 3 A MANIFESTO FOR EDUCATION 2000

Organised by Council for Educational Advance at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London SW1. Speakers include: Estelle Morris MP, shadow education minister, and Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson. Fee: Pounds 25, Pounds 15 affiliated organisations. Details: Marian Darke, 0181 949 2677.

DECEMBER 4-5 TEACHING OF CONSTRUCTIVE THINKING SKILLS IN EDUCATION

Organised by Edward De Bono Foundation at Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin, partly funded by the European Commission. Speakers include: Dr De Bono on his Cognitive Research Trust (CoRT) Thinking Programme; Dr Vivienne Baumfield, Newcastle University; and Rhona Birrell, Programme on Mental Health, World Health Organisation, Geneva. Fee: Pounds 95 (includes audio tape and book by Dr De Bono entitled Teach Your Child How to Think). Details: Tom Farrell, 00 353 1 825 0466.