Conference Scope

The Commission has just published the general call for proposals for 2012 for participation in the Lifelong Learning Programme. Through the programme the EU enables people of all ages to gain experience through studies, training or learning abroad and supports co-operation between schools, universities and enterprises in different European countries.

Funding under the 2012 call will follow five priorities:

• Develop strategies for lifelong learning and mobility
• Encourage cooperation between the worlds of education, training and work
• Support initial and continuous training of teachers, trainers and education and training institutions’ managers
• Promote the acquisition of key competences throughout the education and training system
• Promote social inclusion and gender equality in education and training, including the integration of migrants and Roma

These overarching priorities reflect main issues at stake of the political agenda for education and training in the European Union.

All information needed to apply for participation in the Lifelong Learning Programme, in particular the priorities of the Call for Proposals 2012 and the Guide to the programme, are available online at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/llp/doc848_en.htm    Suite…

 Source:elearningeuropa

The EU has long been encouraging an exchange of ideas across its borders, hoping to engage young people in European affairs. A prime example is the European Youth Parliament – a platform for intercultural dialogue on hot political issues in the EU. It met recently in Lillehammer in Norway and we caught up with some of the young members taking part in the debate.

To watch this video in French.

Source: Euronews Learning World

The new platform is the result of a year’s work of careful planning and design, from the elearningeuropa.info team, with a focus on developing the technological solution most suited to user requests and aimed to facilitate a better flow of ideas and interaction.

The European Commission initiated elearningeuropa.info nine years ago, to support the transformation of education through technology. Available in 21 languages, it has now become a key forum for the generation and presentation of ideas.

elearningeuropa.info has more than 35.000 registered users with an average of 16.000 monthly visits. Thanks to this large user base the portal provides great opportunities for research and exchange of ideas and information amongst researchers, practitioners, students and policy makers across Europe. The portal re-launch will also benefit from the use of the latest cutting edge open source technology: A new Content Management System (CMS) has been deployed based on the award winning ‘Drupal’.

The portal’s online journal ‘eLearning Papers’ will be presenting its new visual identity and structure in the new platform. A leading publication in its field, the journals five annual issues are guided by an Editorial Committee chaired by Tapio Koskinen, Head of New Solutions at Aalto University Professional Development.

Some of the new sections the portal has launched are blogs, which offer users the chance to express their opinions and insight as well as a dedicated TV Channel which offers users the possibility to find the most relevant and highest quality videos about education and technology in one place.

In addition, users will be able to create communities and working groups around themes and topics of interest and use these privileged spaces to display their content to a wider audience. These communities are the ideal space for co-creation and sharing ideas. The first communities are up and running with discussions and insight into Language Learning and Social Media; Open Education virtual worlds and gaming. Join us to explore them and share your experience.

For further information, please contact:
Jimena Márquez
jimena.marquez@elearningeuropa.info

Source: Press Release

Please find more information on the 2011 Peter Drucker Forum under: http://www.druckersociety.at/repository/newsletter/10/newsletter.html

The essay contest has the overarching theme:  MANAGEMENT, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? and has as its starting point the poor reputation the term management has acquired in recent times as senior managers around the world have hit the headlines with high salaries, failing corporations, controversial downsizing programmes and an apparent focus on short term profitability rather than long term development and people. Middle managers, too, have gradually found themselves increasingly undermined and even dispensed with altogether, as skilled teams and individuals tend to more and more manage themselves.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005), the “father of modern management” and a harsh critic of a greed-driven economy, described this emergence of self-empowered specialists in his 1999 book “Management Challenges for the 21st Century”. In it, Drucker also insisted that we should not confine our view of management as applying to businesses only. Instead, he argues, management is a key function of all levels of modern society. “Ours,” he writes, “is a society of organizations. And management is the specific and distinguishing organ of any and all organizations.”

Good management, then, is even more important in today’s world. It has the potential to be the key to dealing with the societal complexities and challenges we face today.

So – just what is good management? How do you define and describe it? And is good management a means in itself? Does it have to have a purpose, too, and can it ever be separated from the social and common good? These are the questions the participants are asked to answer from their individual experiences and perspectives in the framework of “The Global Peter Drucker Challenge” (now in its second year after a successful first round last year).

How to participate

Participants must not to be older than 35 years. The length of the essays should be between 1.500 words and 3.000 words (which roughly translates into 5-10 pages). Essays can be submitted in both English and German – the two languages Peter Drucker wrote his articles and books in. The deadline for submitting the essays is July 15th, 2011.

The winners will be chosen through a jury consisting of business executives, academics, and representatives of the Peter Drucker Society. The winning essays will be announced at the beginning of September.

ICWE, organiser of the annual eLearning Africa conference and partner of the competition, will be sponsoring one candidate from Africa to participate in the Forum.

For more information on “The Global Peter Drucker Challenge” and to get detailed guidelines how to participate go to: www.druckerchallenge.org

Contact: druckerchallenge@gmail.com

Source: Press Release

EUCEN, the European Association for University Lifelong Learning, is the largest European multidisciplinary Association in University Lifelong Learning.

EUCEN was founded in 1991. It is registered in Belgium as an international non-governmental non-profit making organisation and has 212 members from 40 different countries.

What are the aims and objectivs of EUCEN?

In furtherance of the above-mentioned objectives the Association shall have, amongst its functions, the following:

The Association shall ensure that its objectives and activities remain non profit-making.

What do we mean by university lifelong learning (ULLL)

The definition of ULLL varies between countries and universities. EUCEN seeks to include this rich diversity and to have a coherent focus for our activities.

We have therefore adopted the following definition of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL):

What is our vision?

Enable members to serve most effectively the people of Europe, particularly in their own regions, through the provision of high quality lifelong learning.

What is our mission?

1. To contribute to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere.
2. To foster universities’ influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.
3. To provide a forum for the development, interchange and dissemination of innovation and good practice on lifelong learning within European higher education.
4. To encourage high standards in all areas of lifelong learning and to harmonise levels of quality for lifelong learning among its members.
5. To represent the interests of the lifelong learning community within higher education and to European policymakers.
6. To facilitate communication, liaison and collaboration with other appropriate bodies and organisations.
7. To promote and conduct research into lifelong learning and to disseminate the results of this research.
8. To obtain, collect and receive money, funds and other property and to administer them in pursuance of the objectives of the Association.

“ULLL is the provision by higher education institutions of learning opportunities, services and research for: the personal and professional development of a wide range of individuals – lifelong and lifewide; and the social, cultural and economic development of communities and the region. It is at university level and research-based; it focuses primarily on the needs of the learners; and it is often developed and/or provided in collaboration with stakeholders and external actors”.

• Influence the development of university lifelong learning policy throughout Europe.
• Promote a European model of lifelong learning based on democracy, equal rights and social justice.
• Contribute to a lifelong learning policy that takes into account economic and social needs.
• Promote interaction in order to identify and mobilise resources within the Association network.
• Enable the exchange of experience and information between members on current lifelong learning regulations and policies and establish contacts with the relevant European bodies.
• Provide contacts for members with lifelong learning policy makers and practitioners in a range of universities throughout Europe.
• Seek to harmonise levels of quality for ULLL among members and to maintain standards for effective monitoring.
• Contribute to the development of an effective university credit transfer system that would be acceptable within the network.
• Seek to influence European policy on ULLL.

What strategy do we have to achieve this?

• Assist ULLL policy makers in selecting the most appropriate and effective policies for their own institutions.
• Provide a forum in which ideas about ULLL can be discussed.
• Provide an accurate and rapid source of information to members on ULLL in European countries.
• Help members to strengthen their contacts with employers and the professions in European countries.
• Encourage the exchange of information between universities and employers to identify their changing LLL needs.
• Provide academic and administrative support with members working together to expand their LLL provision.
• Support members wishing to develop European LLL research.
• Provide opportunities for LLL staff development through staff exchange.
• Seek opportunities for student exchange.

What role oes eucen have?

EUCEN has an important role in the policy making process. It is represented on a number of committees and advisory panels at European level and provides experts and expert teams for international projects and consultancy to universities wishing to develop lifelong learning strategies and actions. Through conferences, projects and networking activities we provide a wide range of opportunities for staff and curriculum development, for the sharing of best practice and for the development of international contacts for ULLL.

Source: Eucen2011

Study Subject: Identity and development proposes the analysis of political use and scientific representation of territorial units (civilization, nation, region, city).

Employer: Erasmus Mundus.

Level: Masters.

Scholarship Description: TEMA Master Course is offered by a consortium of the following European universities: Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest, Hungary, École des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales of Paris, France, University of Catania, Italy, and Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic.

To apply for Master TEMA students must hold a first degree (BA/BSc /180 ECTS/) in History, Geography, Anthropology, Ethnography, Cultural studies, Urban Studies, Nationalism Studies, Law, Economy, Administration. The selection is based on academic excellence and proficiency in English and in French, which are the languages of instruction.

TEMA graduates receive double or multiple degrees (according to their mobility track), as well as a diploma supplement at the end of their studies, allowing them to enter into the professions in the area of local, regional, national and European territorial administration, in urban planning and research institutions.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 10th of January 2011.

Further Scholarship Information and Application.

Source: Scholarship-positions.com

• A series of events held from Dec. 7 to 10, 2010, under the aegis of the European Commission (DG INFSO: International Relations Unit + GÉANT and e-Infrastructures Unit) and the African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy of Finland:
• Dec. 7-8, 2010 – 3rd Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research.
• Dec. 9-10, 2010 – 2010 EuroAfrica e-Infrastructures Conference.
• Dec. 10, 2010 – Lab Visits.
• A week organised by the EuroAfrica-ICT and eI-Africa EU/FP7 funded projects with the support of the VTT Technical Research Center of Finland.

Event objectives

• Allow European and African stakeholders involved in the development of cooperation on ICT to get together.
• Allow participants to exchange views, share information, and identify synergies in order to increase the impact of their activities.
• Further support policy dialogues, apprehend medium- to long term perspectives and agree on an overall and coherent vision.
• Give the highest visibility to ongoing initiatives addressing Euro-Africa S&T cooperation in ICT.
• Increase the number of sub-Saharan organisations involved in EU/FP7 collaborative projects on ICT research.

Why should you attend?

• Expand your knowledge in the field!
• Find out how to increase the visibility and impact of your projects/programmes!
• Meet with your worldwide peers and debate/discuss best practices!
• Understand what is important when implementing collaborative research projects!
• Hear about success stories and case studies presenting innovative approaches and strategies!
• Benefit from valuable opinions and long experience of acknowledged experts in the field!
• Stay up to date with latest developments and trends in the ICT field!
• Discuss with high-level policymakers!
• And many more benefits!

Addressed ICT Research themes

• e-Learning, ICT for Education / e-Skills (Technology Enhanced Learning).
• e-Health, ICT for Health (Advanced Technology to Improve Health).
• e-Governance (Secure Services to Citizens & Business / Including ICT policies and regulation).
• e-Infrastructures & GÉANT (From research networking to global virtual research collaboration. Infrastructures & Access).
• e-Libraries / Digital Library Services & Digital Content Infrastructures.
• e-Inclusion (and e-Adoption) & e-Accessibility (ICT for independent living).
• e-Agriculture, ICT for Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency (Enabling Environment, Climate Change Effects, Disaster Management, etc.).
• Evolution and convergence of networks, infrastructures, equipment and services towards Future Network solutions.
• Social inclusion, youth/women and the Information Society.
• Software and services (in various sectors: enterprise, agriculture, etc.)

Expected audience
About 300 key stakeholders in the field (Institutions | National and international companies | SMEs | Academia | Research institutes | Etc.) coming from all over Europe and Africa: Policymakers | Senior representatives from Governments | Representatives from international development cooperation agencies | ICT project managers | Programme managers | Heads of research labs | Researchers | IT engineers | Deans, directors, lecturers and researchers from universities and the higher education sector | Managers of NGOs, professional associations, centres of excellence, trade unions, chambers of commerce, etc. | Industry stakeholders | Etc.
Fees and registrations
The “3rd Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research” (Dec. 7-8, 2010 – Helsinki, Finland) will be an event filled with discussions and debates, networking opportunities and knowledge sharing among key stakeholders in the field and policymakers coming from all over Europe and Africa. This Conference represents definitely a unique opportunity for all parties interested in the ICT domain to increase the visibility and impact of their activities, to network and expand their knowledge:

• Reflect on progress made and lessons learnt on ICT research and development in Africa and its contribution through partnerships to economic growth, improved quality of life and efficient service delivery.
• Gain insight on the status and perspectives of the 8th Partnership (“African-EU Partnership for Science, Information Society and Space”) and support its action plan.
• Learn more about the status and perspectives of the EC/AUC Programmes and Action Plans.
• Enhance the development of Euro-Africa collaborative ICT research projects and identify potential partners.
• Highlight the range and excellence of ICT research in Africa and in Europe.
• Allow participative and interactive working sessions on ICT research and development through panel debates and interactive thematic sessions.
• Network with key stakeholders in the field (private/public bodies).
• Hear about opportunities to enhance African participation in FP7.
• Get detailed information on successful EU-African FP7 cooperation projects and EU-African PPP (Public-Private Partnerships)

Registrations are free of charge but, due to room capacity constraints, pre-registrations are requested and applications will be accepted by the organising and programme committees on a case by case basis (up to 300 max.).

Event venue
Scandic Marina Congress Center
Katajanokanlaituri 6 – 00160 Helsinki, Finland
Tel.: +358 9 16661 / Fax.: +358 9 1666734
grandmarina@scandichotels.com
www.marinacongresscenter.com

The Scandic Marina Congress Center is a unique congress centre located right in the heart of the city of Helsinki. Its waterfront location, only a short walk from Helsinki centre, makes the Scandic Marina Congress Center an incomparable venue for conferences and gala events. The Conference organisers have been negotiating preferential rates for accommodation of conference guests at the Scandic Grand Marina, just across the street. Detailed information (a comprehensive delegate package) will be sent to all attendees upon successfully registering for the Conference.

Source: Euroafrica-ict.org

Study Subject: Computer science.

Employer: Google.

Level: Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral.

Scholarship Description: Access to knowledge is our passion. When it comes to higher education for promising scholars, we do not want anything to stand in the way. That is why we are pleased to announce the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. Google is committed to helping the innovators of the future make the most of their talents by providing scholarships and networking retreats for computer science students with disabilities. This scholarship aims to help dismantle barriers that keep students with disabilities from entering computing, encourage them to excel in their studies and become active role models and leaders in creating technology.

Multiple scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic performance and demonstrated passion for computer science. A group of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students will be chosen from the applicant pool. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of researchers and engineers. The scholarship recipients will each receive a EUR 7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship for the 2011/2012 academic year.

In June 2011, all scholarship recipients will be invited to visit Google’s Engineering Centre in Zurich for an all-expenses-paid networking retreat. It will include workshops with a series of speakers, panels, breakout sessions and social activities, and will provide an opportunity to meet and share experiences.

Eligibility requirements
Candidates must be:

• A student enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2011/2012.
• Enrolled at a University in Europe. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
• Studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.
• A person with a disability. The term persons with disabilities is used to apply to all persons with disabilities including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 20th January 2011.

Further Scholarship Information and Application.

Source: Scholarship-positions.com

The 5+5 Education, a forum for dialogue and exchange involving the Education Ministers of the above mentioned countries, has as its core aim the development of ICT for schools. Country members compare their respective positions and strategic plans, and look to deliver collaborative projects together.

Through public policies, this forum promotes and encourages the development and use of ICT for education. Member’s schools see their equipment enriched with computers and Internet access. The issue of the provision of relevant resources for pupils, students and teachers is clearly therefore a critical one.

In response to these needs, the various Ministries of Education pursue an active policy in support of the development and diffusion of educational multimedia resources in order to:

• Allow the education community in each country to benefit from high quality products that address their needs and expectations as well as the education systems general requirements.
• Promote the development of digital content for schools and universities and strengthen their position in the knowledge industry.

The EUROMED EDUCATION Show will represent the first opportunity for the key players in ICT for education from the Europe, Maghreb and Africa regions to:

• Meet teachers from Europe, Maghreb and Africa and better understand their needs (hardware, software, content and localisation constraints).
• Deepen their knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean and African ICT in Education market, meet potential customers.
• Find regional partners.
• Analyze the competition and be able to assess ICT for education environment in the Maghreb and African regions.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:

• Discover new offers regarding contents and hardware.
• Meet solution suppliers adapted to their needs.

Exhibitors and Partners will have the opportunity to meet ministerial delegations from Maghreb and some African countries.

Each country will present their “numerical plan for Education” for years to come. Indeed, they will all increase their investments in ICT for Education, especially within the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the United Nations Millennium campaign.

This show constitutes a unique opportunity for exhibitors to discover the investment plans of African countries and to meet the representatives of these concerned countries.

The agenda of the show will encourage meetings between exhibitors and partners on one hand and all the representatives of ministries and academies, primary, secondary and upper cycles from different countries, on the other.

Further more, each Ministry of Education will have an exhibition spot. The EUROMED EDUCATION show will benefit from an important communication strategy, which will address the ambitions expressed by the 10 Ministers of Education in Biarritz, in 2009.

Different companies have already announced their will to be «Gold partner » or «Silver partner » for this show.

For more information: info@euromededucation.com

Source: Press release