This week PASCAL Board member was invested by the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, with the Member of the Order (Australia) honour.  PASCAL International Observatory's Professor Mike Osborne recognised Peter's contribution and nominated him (supported by PASCAL's Josef Konvitz as a referee) for this advanced award.

The citation was for "significant service to education, particularly to adult and lifelong learning, including as a member, board member, special advisor and fellow for several lifelong learning and social heritage organisations, as founder and director of the PASCAL International Exchanges, and through contributions in the field to UNESCO, the Australian Learning Community Network and the Australian College of Educators".

On Australia Day this year,  Peter Kearns, was elevated to AM (Member of the Order of Australia). This appointment confers high recognition for outstanding achievement and service. Peter was acknowledged as a distinguished scholar and researcher, having founded Learning City international exchanges, implemented the Learning Neighbourhood concept and the EcCoWell (Ecology/Economy, Culture/Community, Well-being/ Wellness and Lifelong Learning) program. Peter has remained active with advancing these initiatives to new levels and drawing together ‘COVID-19 Recovery’ projects for the PASCAL International Observatory.

AUSTRALIA AWARDS: like nearly every other country in the world, Australia has a system of honours so its citizens can be recognised for excellence, achievement or meritorious service and contributions to our society.

Honours help define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying role models. Honours are to recognise, celebrate and say thank you to those who make a difference, those who achieve their best and those who serve others.