Diversity in Adult Education Erasmus Project

Project Title

Diversity in Adult Education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Inclusion – equity; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

The European societies are increasingly diverse in terms of social, cultural and linguistic background. Adult education reflects this diversity, posing challenges to all included: learners, trainers, and administrative staff. Coping successfully with diversity is a demanding task, as a clash of cultures and values is usually involved. The lack of awareness and sensitization on the issue causes often discrimination that can easily lead to harassment, adult bullying, or other forms of aggression. However, the staff of adult education entities (both administrative and trainers) is required to provide high-quality, discrimination-free services that will empower the individual learner to make the most out of his/her potential. It is to address this challenge that the project Diversity in Adult Education (DivInA Edu) is proposed, by introducing effective strategies to cope with diversity in adult education. More specifically, the project pursues the following objectives:a) To raise awareness and provide information on diversity issues in adult educationb) To promote the personal development of adult educators and other stakeholders in adult educationc) To promote the creation of a safe and equitable learning environment in adult education that will facilitate individuals to take full advantage of the learning opportunities offered to themd) To prevent adult bullying and other forms of discrimination in education, thus promoting equity and social cohesione) To build on accumulated experience and disseminate good practices, in order to further advance diversity management in adult educationThe project foresees the following activities with the corresponding outcomes: – Research on diversity issues, bullying, and coping strategies in adult education. Bibliography research and field surveys addressing the staff of adult education entities (administrative, trainers) will be combined for the identification of local needs and best practices.- Development of a training methodology and a course outline on diversity management in adult education. Corresponding to the needs identified through research, the desired learning outcomes of the training course will be defined. According to these learning outcomes a course on diversity management in adult education will be designed, weighted in line with the European Credit System for Vocational Education & Training (ECVET).- Following that, new training modules for trainers and administrative staff will be developed and related modules produced from a previous European project will be adapted. Training material and an assessment methodology will be also developed.- A training platform will be developed as a means to deliver the training and to facilitate networking and support of the learners. The platform will be based on a peer learning platform developed in the context of another European project, which has already been tested and validated by hundreds of users. Pilot usage of the platform will provide input for its evaluation and improvement.- A series of dissemination activities and multiplier events will make the project products known and enable all interested parties to benefit from them. Workshops will introduce the staff of adult education providers to the training platform and the new training course. An estimated total of 300 people will participate in the events organized by the project. The methodological approach adopted in the project is based on the following principles: thorough needs identification; goal orientation; building on good practices and previous projects; implementing European accreditation tools; integrating ICT in learning; pilot usage and evaluation.The project will challenge existing misconceptions and prejudices in the provision of training within the administrative as well as the managerial part of the training process. It will contribute to the creation of an organizational culture in the educational community where people belonging to different vulnerable groups feel confident about equal treatment. It will also contribute to the promotion of good relations between different groups, defusing racial tensions and hostility, promoting the benefits of equal rights and opportunities for all, building understanding through working together. Therefore, the project activities are expected to contribute to a social anti-bullying behavior in areas where often social tension arises. In the long term, the project envisages to have an impact on public opinion, influencing the level of human rights protection and human rights ethics in the field of discrimination.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 111094 Eur

Project Coordinator

Centro de Formación Somorrostro & Country: ES

Project Partners

• Aidlearn, Consultoria em Recursos Humanos Lda.
• OLYMPIAKI EPAIDEFTIKI KAI SYMVOULEFTIKI EPE
• HELLENIC OPEN UNIVERSITY
• OXFAM ITALIA INTERCULTURA SOCIETA’COOPERATIVA SOCIALE DI TIPO A ONLUS
• ESCUELA PROFESIONAL OTXARKOAGA