This is the conference launch for the project ‘Europe as a learning environment in schools’ (Elos), 18-20 November 2004 in the Netherlands
The conference will take place in the Holiday Inn hotel in Leiden from Thursday 18th until Saturday 20th November. The 170 participants come from almost all of the countries of the European Union (including the new and candidate member states) and from many sections: schools, National agencies for grant programmes of the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Europe, et cetera. The conference takes place under the framework of the Dutch Chairmanship of the EU and is supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the European Commission. The Dutch Minister of Education Mrs. Van der Hoeven will open the conference.
European Citizenship On Saturday, 20th November between 11.00 and 12.30, there will be a panel discussion followed directly by a press conference. The theme for the discussion is 'Other voices on Europe in school - widening horizons and bonds with society'. Panel members are among others from the European Parliament, trade and industry, the Dutch Education Council, the European Teachers' Union, the European parents' organisation and young persons. Questions that will undoubtedly come up for discussion: should schools or parents educate children to become 'European citizens'? Should every pupil receive a 'Europass'? Does such a thing as a European 'basic competence' exist for teachers? Do 'European work placements' contribute to a European and national social involvement? Is the advice from the Dutch Education Council on Citizenship Education and Europe of importance for other countries in Europe?
European competencies During the 21 workshops at the conference various Elos-aspects will be offered from the educational perspective. From umbrella matters such as curriculum, in-service training, key competencies and existing networks to teaching materials, specific projects and activities. This includes 'What do the Europaschulen in Germany do', 'European citizenship in the English curriculum', the 'Exam Europeanum' or the 'European Year of Citizenship through Education in 2005, initiated by the Council of Europe'. A number of Elos-schools will present their own networks and projects which will be strengthened under the framework of Elos: participation in the European Youth parliament, a debate on the possible EU participation of Turkey, et cetera.
European and International orientation Elos is an ambitious project that intensively prepares pupils in secondary education for their future as European citizen. The aim is to translate the reasonably abstract term European Citizenship into concrete learning, studying, living and working in the European Union, in addition to the development of a European identity. And in such a way that makes the Elos curriculum attractive and challenging for pupils and offers a surplus value for their further education. This means that schools are encouraged to give shape to Europe as a learning environment: to adapt the curriculum, to use 'European' teaching materials, to improve language learning, to offer European training for teachers, in short let 'Europe' influence education from the bottom up. Elos makes a 'European future' concrete for all pupils, from junior secondary and pre-vocational to pre-university education, from about age 12 up to the final exam year. Schools offer the basis of Elos as 'European and International Orientation' (EIO) in the lower age groups. Pupils and parents can then choose three variants in the final years (dependent on the options of the school): a comprehensive EIO-variant, a Science & Technology variant and for the junior secondary and pre-vocational school a European vocational orientation variant.
European network grows In the school year 2004/2005 fourteen Dutch schools will start with a three-year Elos pilot project in which the concepts will be developed further; after this it is expected that Elos can be structurally imbedded both in a national and a European framework. Each of these schools works together with a minimum of four European partner schools that also opt for a strengthened European and International Orientation. In this way a European network of schools and supporting organisations is created that will expand each year.
For more information about the conference, Elos and/or Elos in school you can visit www.elos.europeesplatform.nl or contact: Katinka van Vuure (Elos-coordinator) or Kirsten Stamm from the European Platform, E-mail: elos@europeesplatform.nl, Tel. +31 (0)72 5118502
Interested in an enthusiastic school or expert report from your own country? We can provide you with an overview of participants from your country who will also be present on 20th November 2004.
