European awards for education projects in support of social inclusion
Six EU-funded education projects aimed at promoting social inclusion were named today as winners of the 2010 European Awards for Lifelong Learning. The winning projects are from Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom and involve partners from many other European countries. The awards were announced at a conference in Barcelona.
The European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou, said: "The EU's Lifelong Learning Programme supports transnational projects in education and training that really make a difference at grassroots level. I congratulate the six winning projects: they can be particularly proud of their contribution in this European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion."
The projects, each involving partners in several European countries, were "excellent examples of what can be achieved by working together across borders to promote learning for all, regardless of age or social group", added the Commissioner.
The awards were for projects in school education (funded by the EU 'Comenius programme'), higher education ('Erasmus' programme), adult education ('Grundtvig' programme) and vocational training ('Leonardo da Vinci'), as well as for 'Languages' and 'Information and Communication Technologies'.
The European Awards for Lifelong Learning were announced at a conference in Barcelona on the future of the EU's main programme for education and training after 2013. The conference focused on how best to develop the EU's support for cross-border exchanges of students and teachers, as well as transnational partnerships between education and training institutions, and simplification of the way the EU's Lifelong Learning programme is managed.
To know more:
"Education and training for social inclusion. European Success Stories" – with details about the winning projects plus 20 others shortlisted for the European Awards for Lifelong Learning: http://ec.europa.eu/education/pub/pdf/llp/llp10_en.pdf
European Commission: The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP):
http://ec.europa.eu/llp
Lifelong Learning Programme, 2010 annual conference, 'Looking beyond 2013':
http://www.llpconference.eu/
The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010:
http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu
The winning projects:
Comenius (school education):
Learning Migration network
University of Stavanger, NORWAY
The Learning Migration network helped 170 schools, teacher training institutions, educational authorities and NGOs from 19 countries to work together to improve learning and teaching in multicultural classrooms. The network organised cultural events including festivals and screened films made by children, both migrants and others, about their lives and dreams.
Erasmus (higher education):
ATHENA II – Advanced Thematic Network of Women’s Studies in Europe
University of Utrecht, NETHERLANDS
This network of academics, professionals and civil society organisations is dedicated to women's rights, gender equality and diversity. It involves more than 100 partner institutions and through its seminars, conferences and publications it aims to draw on the expertise of groups which do not normally interact with the academic world.
Grundtvig (adult education):
Sing, smooth and smile
Ansamblis “Senoji muzika” (Association “Old music”), LITHUANIA
The Grundtvig project 'Sing, smooth and smile' supported marginalised families and communities, young mothers and mothers-to-be, the elderly and the disabled. The project used ethnic music as part of therapy and learning in the context of communal care.
Leonardo da Vinci (vocational education and training):
Made in Jail!
Défi -job asbl, LUXEMBOURG
The Leonardo da Vinci project 'Made in Jail!' set up an e-shop to promote entrepreneurial skills among prison inmates, providing them with hope and motivation in the process. Prisoners reaching the end of their sentences were encouraged to make and sell arts and crafts under the “Made in Jail” label.
Languages
The Language Café
University of Southampton, UNITED KINGDOM
The Language Café project offers an innovative approach to language learning in a relaxed environment for people of all ages and backgrounds. 29 such cafés exist in eight European countries. More have recently opened and broadened their scope to offer specialised help for immigrants and people who use sign-language.
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
Grandparents & Grandchildren,
Ente ACLI Istruzione Professionale – Friuli Venezia Giulia (EnAIPFVG), ITALY
The ICT project 'Grandparents & Grandchildren' reversed the usual learning model, with adults learning from children. Young volunteers offered elderly people the opportunity to learn ICT skills in a friendly environment. The dialogue between the generations also benefited the youngsters, as they developed their own communication skills.
the Award
The EnAIP FVG staff involved in the G&G project:
Alessandra mMneghello, Giovanni Manisi, Davide Gaspari, Andrea Musi, Gilberto Collinassi, Paola Stuparich, Laura Cucchini, Anna Giglioli
