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European Dimensions of Adult Education
Strategic challenges for adult education organisationsat local and national level
Alan SmithFormer Acting Head of Adult Education Unit, European Commission
& Coordinator, EU Programme for Adult Learning « Grundtvig »
Launch event for EPALE in FinlandHelsinki, 17 November 2015
Overview
Introduction:
Why is engagement with Europe a topical issue?
What do we mean by ‘Europe’ and ‘adult education’?
Different levels: local AE providers / regional, sectoral, national AE bodies
European dimensions of adult education
1. Europe as a factor shaping AE systems and policy
2. Europe and AE in partnership: AE organisations as an ‘agent’ in implementing EU policies / EU financing for AE organisations
3. Europe as a thematic focus of AE programmes: « Living together in Europe » = an integral part of citizenship learning
4. Europe as a source of innovation: AE organisations in cooperation across national borders
5. Engagement with Europe as a strategic policy goal for AE organisations
Questions for discussion
Background and rationale
Changes at European level– New European Commission and EP
– Restructuring of AE responsibilities in the Commission
– New generation of EU programmes 2014-2020
From the national perspective– European and international solidarity = an important
principle for AE
– Euro-scepticism, nationalism, xenophobia
– Special challenge and concerns refugee crisis
– Concerns regarding the consequences of EU policy processes beyond education: TTIP etc.
Dimension 1:Europe as a factor shaping AE systems & policy
Education policy
– Overall framework policy for educ.& training (ET 2020)
– The European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAg)
Policy areas outside education (external trade -TTIP, competition etc.)
Influence of EU via financing for AE (ESF, AMIF…)
Dimension 1:Europe as framework factor for AE
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Strategic steps for AE organisations
Education policy
Observation of policy developments and products
Active contribution via European working groups and events
Active feedback into AE, also via in-service training of staff
Cooperation with National Contact Point for European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAg)
Participation in Key Action 3 of Erasmus+ on central themes for AE
Liaison with national members of the EU Commission‘s Working Group on AE
Liaison with EU: Commission units, EP committees, interested MEPs
Active involvement in European AE portal EPALE !
Other policy areas
Lobbying to safeguard AE in TTIP etc. (coop. with other interested bodies)
Dimension 2:Europe and AE in partnership
AE not just passively affected by EU policy, but also active player in implementation Conversely: EU structural funds an important source of financing for AE organisations
Direct EU funding of key activities of AE organisations
– European Social Fund (ESF)– Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)– Other structural funds (regional fund etc.)
Indirect AE contribution to local implementation of EU policies
- Education - Demographic change- Employment - Consumer policy- Migration & Asylum policy - Digital Agenda- European citizenship - Justice (Prison education)- Linguistic diversity - Regional policy- Culture - Rural development- Info & Communikation - External (Neighbourhood) policy- Social policy - Development cooperation- Health - Environment
Dimension 2:Europe and AE in partnership
----------------Strategic steps for AE organisations
Policy monitoring in EU policy areas relevant for AE content
Feedback into AE courses, programmes, materials
Lobbying to improve EU structural instruments from AE viewpoint
Pushing for more AE-relevant EU programmes, e.g.:– Justice (specific support for prison education in the Justice Programme)
– Environment and consumer policy (support for AE-relevant materials)
– Neighbourhood policy & Development cooperation (better recognition of AE potential more funding measures for AE organisations)
More effective media coverage of AE contribution to EU policy implementation
Dimension 3:Europe as a thematic focus of AE
programmes
’Living together in Europe’ an integral part of citizenship learning
Europe ≠ EU, ‘European citizenship’ ≠ ‘Promoting EU’
Pedagogical challenge: ’Europe’ a particularly ‘difficult’ aspect of the already ‘difficult’ area civics / citizenship
Need for non-formal AE formats close to citizens’ concerns and lives
Direct and indirect approach: Europe as specific thematic focus / Europe as a dimension of other thematic areas
Dimension 3:Europe as thematic focus of AE
-----------------------
Strategic steps for AE organisations
(National + international) cooperation between (not just AE) organisations active in this area (WG, seminars, e-platform, common materials repository)
Cooperation with local, regional, national politicians
Development and dissemination of suitable formats focussing on Europe
Multidisciplinary approach: Europe as a dimension of other subjects
Educational leave as means of promoting European Citizenship learning
Special measures for young adults and marginalised learners
Use Europe Direct Centres (and encourage AE organisations to become EDC)
Refer to EU as funding source in courses funded via EU Structural Funds
Identification of Europe-related offer in national AE statistics
Stronger AE involvement in Europe for Citizens (+ Youth section of Erasmus+)
Dimension 4:Europe as a source of innovation:
AE organisations in European cooperation
Basic re-think: from Marginality to Centrality
Why? European cooperation is vital for innovation und improving quality (« What better place to learn than in European projects? »)
Broad consensus on wide spectrum of benefits (separate slide)
Participation, Exploitation and Dissemination are all key
AE (Grundtvig) within Erasmus+:– (Temporary?) Farewell to some beloved forms of cooperation (LP…)– But also some exciting new opportunities for AE organisations– Stronger role for regional and national bodies in the AE community– Strategic level: larger-scale policy- and innovation-related projects
Other EU programmes relevant for AE
Avenues for European cooperation without EU funding
Dimension 4
Benefits of European cooperation
New contents, methods and tools (‚Learning Organisation‘)
Enhanced inter-cultural sensibility of staff and learners
Enriched knowledge and competence:
– Specific subject areas addressed by projects and mobility
– Foreign language proficiency
– Ancillary aspects such as project management, IT and media
Enhanced motivation of staff, livelier organisation generally
Sustainable professional networks as a long-term resource
Strengthened international relations
Enhanced status of AE organisations in local and regional community
Stronger conviction of need for European unity, however defined
Improved prospects in the acquisition of external funds
Last but not least: lasting personal friendships across borders
Dimension 4
Other EU programmes relevant for transnational cooperation in AE
Europe for Citizens
Horizon 2020 (Research framework programme)
Creative Europe
Transnational networks in the framework of ESF
Justice
Rights, Equality and Citizenship
Health
Programmes in environment and rural development
Interreg
Neighbourhood policy programmes
Development cooperation programmes
Dimension 4
European cooperation without EU funding
Cooperation in trans-border regions and inter-regional cooperation
Cooperation between countries, funded from national sources (Nordic cooperation, bilateral cooperation etc.)
Cooperation in the framework of town-twinning
Cooperation within the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) and sector-specific bodies, e.g. European Prison Education Association (EPEA)
Cooperation within the European Basic Skills Network (EBSN)
Cooperation with European Lifelong Learning Magazine (ELM)
Cooperation with the Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), e.g. „Learning Cities“ (Europe is also a focus for Unesco)
Cooperation in the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
Development cooperation activities with partners from other European countries
Dimension 4:AE in European cooperation
-------------------------
Strategic steps for local AE organisations
Designate coordination responsibility for European programmes / information / contacts
Encourage staff to participate in European projects and mobilityStrengthen in-service foreign language training for staff as pre-requisite for European participation
Hosting staff from other European countries:– Recruit staff from other European countries– Welcome staff from other European countries for job-shadowing
and visits
Work closely with local authorities, organisations and the media
Dimension 4:AE in European cooperation
-------------------------
Strategic steps for national/regional AE bodies
Encourage active, high quality participation of members in European coop. as a central aspect of strategy of modern AE organisation– Information and guidance (info events, promotional visits, regular
programme workshops, telephone and personal advisory service, assistance in drafting European Development Plans, assistance with partner search...)
– Contact point for European programmes at national / regional level
– Exchange of experience (e-platform, working group for active members)
– Statistical and qualitative analysis and evaluation
– Exploitation and dissemination of results
Participation in all relevant Actions of Erasmus+ (including KA3)
Close cooperation with the National Agency for Erasmus+ (and national contact points for other programmes)
Dimension 4:AE in European cooperation
---------------------
Strategic steps for national/regional AE bodies
(continued)Lobby for improvements to the EU programmes and especially for an improved budget share for AE within Erasmus+
Seek complementary funding from national sources
Staff development:– In-service training for national, regional and local staff as regards
European project competence and foreign language proficiency– Staff exchange, formal and non-formal staff training abroad (courses,
job-shadowing, information and conference visits)
Hosting staff from other European countries:– Recruit staff from other European countries– Welcome staff from other European countries for job-shadowing and
visits
Exploit potential of other cooperation channels than EU programmes and actively stimulate new ones
Dimension 5:Engagement with Europe as a
strategic policy goal for AE oranisations
Overarching aspects embracing all the « European dimensions » of AE
At the level of local AE organisations / national or regional AE bodies
‘Engagement with Europe’ ≠ uncritical support for EU, but rather ‘AE contribution to living together in Europe’
Dimension 5:Engagement with Europe as policy goal for AE
------------------------
Strategic steps for local AE organisations
Identify ‘Europe’ as an explicit priority for the organisation
Develop an inclusive European strategy for the organisation
Anchor responsibility for ‘Europe’ in the leadership team
Establish contact point ‘Europe’ for practical aspects and advice
Actively encourage staff to engage in Europe-related activities
Staff development and exchange
Monitor organisation’s European performance
Cooperate with local authorities, other organisations in the region, relevant regional and national authorities, NA
Publicise European aspects of the organisation’s work (in the media, website, annual reports etc.)
Dimension 5:Engagement with Europe as policy goal for AE
--------------------------
Strategic steps for national / regional AE bodies
Identify ‘Europe’ as an explicit priority for the organisation and members
Develop an inclusive European strategy for the organisation
Anchor responsibility for ‘Europe’ in the leadership team
Establish contact point ‘Europe’ (practical advice for members)
Actively encourage staff to engage in Europe-related activities
Staff development and exchange
Monitor organisation’s own European performance
Establish region-wide / nation-wide working group on Europ.aspects of AE
Actively encourage member organisations to engage in Europe-related activities
Monitor and evaluate the European performance of members as an aspect of institutional quality
Dimension 5:Engagement with Europe as policy goal for AE
----------------------
Strategic steps for nat./reg.AE bodies (cont.)
Establish structures for systematic exchange of experience on European aspects of AE
Exploit the results of European educational policy and projects
Ensure inclusion of European aspects in national AE statistics (participation in programmes, courses focussing on Europe, involvement in European staff development etc.)
Develop voluntary Europe-related certification and audits (as in HE)
Award prizes for outstanding European performance of members
Forge strategic alliances with other relevant organisations (seniors…) on European aspects
Publicise European aspects of the organisation’s work (in the media, website, annual reports etc.)
Seek the necessary funding for members’ European activities
Questions for Discussion
Are the « 5 Dimensions » a useful basis for developing European strategies in AE organisations at local, regional, national level?
To what extent does AE contribute to implementing European policies, and how can this contribution be improved?
What obstacles and problems need to be overcome in order to generate greater commitment to Europe in the AE sector?
How can European aspects of citizenship learning in AE be successfully strengthened?
What measures are needed to enhance the participation of AE organisations in EU programmes and other forms of European cooperation?
What strategic partners and potential sources of funding are available to AE organisations for the purpose of strengthening the European dimensions of their work?
Contact
Thanks to the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschulverband – DVV) and its Institute for International Cooperation
(« dvv-international ») for sponsoring the presenter’s work on this theme
The views expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission or the DVV
