EAEA Younger Staff Training brings together adult education professionals from across Europe to network and exchange around policy and advocacy. The 2021 training will take place in Brussels, with selected sessions available online, on 13 – 17 September.
The EAEA Younger Staff Training has taken place annually since 2011. The training targets young professionals in adult learning, encourages an exchange on the diversity of policy and practice across Europe, and supports building new connections in the field.
Taking place in Brussels over five days, the daily programme builds on the participants’ knowledge of their own context by starting every morning with “adult education my country” sessions. New information will be introduced through input sessions and study visits and hands-on workshops will foster interaction and exchange. The participants will reflect on key issues in adult education, such as advocacy and digitalisation, fitting their national or local context into the larger European picture.
Practical information
Dates: 13-17 September 2021
Venue: Brussels, Belgium
Training fee: 440 EUR + 60 EUR registration fee (500 EUR in total). The registration fee should be paid before the registration period ends.
Virtual sessions: 60 EUR (participation possible on Wednesday 15 September and Thursday 16 September)
Registration period: 12 May – 13 September 2021 (extended for virtual sessions)
Adult education in my country: what is adult education in my country? A peer-learning session during which the participants will compare and contrast the adult education landscape in their countries. They will also reflect on (for example): structures, national policy frameworks in adult education and their priorities, participation rates and patterns, the concept of basic skills.
Adult education in my country: digitalisation. A peer-learning session during which the participants will compare and contrast the adult education landscape in their countries. They will also reflect on (for example): structures, national policy frameworks in adult education and their priorities, participation rates and patterns, the concept of basic skills.
Change-oriented adult education and digitalisation: theory and examples An input session during which the participants will discover the specifics of change-oriented adult education and how to apply it within their area of work. They will also gain the overview of different change-oriented approaches and their theoretical background. The participants will explore new change-oriented teaching and learning practices and tools that can be used in adult education to face the digitalisation challenges
From theory to practice: how can we manage the challenges of digitalisation by using change-oriented adult education? A workshop during which the participants will exchange views and opinions about the challenges that digitalisation brings to society and adult education. They will discuss how adult education policy and practice can support change-oriented adult education or fight against the digital divide, and try out different change-oriented learning methods and tools that can be used in their daily work.
Adult education in my country A peer-learning session during which the participants will compare and contrast the adult education landscape in their countries. They will also reflect on (for example): structures, national policy frameworks in adult education and their priorities, participation rates and patterns, the concept of basic skills.
EU initiatives explained An input session during which the participants will learn about the EU competences in the field of education, and explore the challenges in adult learning and the policy responses launched at the EU level, such as the European Skills Agenda. They will also gain an understanding of the general role of civil society at the European level, as well as different aspects of its advocacy work (its purpose, challenges and target groups). Particular attention will be paid to the civil society perspective on the key initiatives launched at the EU level.
Advocacy: from analysing the challenges to meeting them A workshop during which the participants will explore different advocacy tools that can be used by adult learning organisations and will discuss the steps to good advocacy. They will also practice planning a targeted advocacy campaign.
Writing a successful project application A workshop during which the participants will practice planning a project application and drafting a budget according to the rules of the new Erasmus+ programme. They will also get tips on writing good project applications and compare the experiences in applying for Erasmus+ projects.
Visit to the European Parliament (TBC) A study visit during which the participants will get a briefing on the role of the European Parliament and the competences of the EU institutions, especially in relation to education.
Q&A with Gina Ebner A session during which the participants will have an informal chat with EAEA’s Secretary General, Gina Ebner, about EAEA and adult education in Europe.
