Participation of Young People in Europe The Role of Education in Tackling Youth Unemployment October 5 th to 8 th 2016, Brussels

Transcription

1 In collaboration with Participation of Young People in Europe The Role of Education in Tackling Youth Unemployment October 5 th to 8 th 2016, Brussels Status Quo The Role of Education in Tackling Youth Unemployment is a four day seminar for teacher students and for those in social work. It is part of a series called Education in Europe run by the Foundation of German Business, the Allianz Kulturstiftung, and local co-operation partners. The series intends to raise awareness among prospective teachers about the social challenges faced by Europe in the field of education. The seminars bring together professionals and students from different European countries to exchange ideas and experiences across borders and in doing so learn about the benefits of acting in concert in order to promote social progress among EU member states. The first seminar, the role of education in processes of social transformation, took place in Cluj, Romania in The second seminar was held in London, U.K. in 2013 with the main focus on managing diversity in schools and inclusive teaching strategies. The core topic of the third seminar is the role of education in tackling youth unemployment. Although the youth unemployment rate decreased since 2013 to 19.7% in the EU, there are still more than 4.5 million young people (aged between 14 to 24 years) currently unemployed with the highest rates in Greece (50%) and Spain (49%), according to Eurostat. In addition, the problem could become even more pressing with rising numbers of refugee job seekers in many European countries. High youth unemployment has negative economic and social effects. Early unemployment embodies a heavy economic burden on public funds on the one hand and impacts young people s self-esteem and their role in society on the other hand. The seminar addresses the main structural factors and particularly school and out-of-school education as one of the key remedies. In doing so, the seminar focuses on answers and solutions on a global EU-wide as well as on a local level and by bringing together experts from different disciplines and students with professional backgrounds in teaching and social work. In addition, the students learn about the similarities and differences between the Belgian and German educational systems and the opportunities and challenges they pose in tackling early unemployment. At the same time, the participants have the chance to experience working together in multi-national and multi-professional teams at first hand. Why Brussels? Why Erasmushogeschool Brussel? The youth unemployment rate in Belgium (22.7% in December 2015) is structurally higher than the EU average. Brussels in particular like many other European metropolises faces social challenges like unemployment. The decrease of the youth unemployment rate down to 26.8% in the Belgian and Flemish capital in December 2015 compared to 30% in December 1

2 2013 is clearly a positive development and maybe a result of the EU Youth Guarantee, which is important to the seminar. Moreover, Brussels is also the capital of Europe with European Institutions and multiple other organizations in which employees and volunteers help young people s transition from education into employment in various ways. The seminar will take place in collaboration with Erasmushogeschool Brussel. The college offers various bachelor degrees in education as well as in social work. Moreover, the college demonstrates a strong interest in teaching, education, and social work in an urban context as well as aims at strengthening its international ties. Seminar Participants The seminar is designed for approx. 40 university teacher students / students in educational studies / social work approx. 30 from Germany and approx. 10 from Belgium. The language of instruction is English. Agenda Wednesday, October 5 th : 2:00 pm Arrival and snack Zespenningenstraat 70, 1000 Brussels 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm Meet & Greet Aula :15 pm - 3:30 pm 15 break Introduction to the goals of the seminar and to the following key questions: How can we manage the transition from education to employment at best? What role does the EU play in education and training to tackle youth unemployment? How can we empower individuals? What role does out-of-school education play in this process? How can engaging in creative practice (arts and culture) empower young people? What can education do to prevent youth unemployment? Are there limits to what education can achieve in avoiding youth unemployment? n.n., Erasmushogeschool Brussel Fanny A. Günthel, Studienkolleg, Foundation of German Business, Berlin Heike Igel, Studienkolleg, Foundation of German Business, Berlin 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Lectures and discussion - Youth Unemployment in Europe Facts and Figures; Diagnosis of the Main Structural Factors; Impact of Youth Unemployment on Society at large, etc. Eva-Maria Schneider, Social Policy Coordination, SOLIDAR, Brussels - Urban Education in Brussels Prof. Dr. Joost Vaesen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Director of the BSI Brussels Studies Institute 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Division into 5 reflecting teams // integrated 15 coffee break 2

3 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Preparation for tomorrow s field visits in small groups A brief comparison of the Belgian and German education system How can we manage the transition from school to vocational or tertiary education and into work life at best? 6:30 pm Dinner 8:00 pm Free time Thursday, October 6 th : 9:00 am - 12:00 am Field visits (formal education) Places to visit: CVO Lethas (10:00 am - 12:00 am) Landsroemlaan 126, 1083 Ganshoren Room 221 Language Proficiency as a Key to Participation Laure Verstraete Frieda Hermans Hotel Belvue (11:00 am - 11:45 am) 1, rue Evariste Pierron, 1080 Brussels Passive hotel ran by trainee students Régis Houyoux, Operations Manager Emanuel Hiel School COOVI Approx. 12:00 am - 1:30 pm Group reflection and discussion in reflecting teams // integrated lunch break near the Permanent Representation 1:40 pm - 6:00 pm EU Education and Employment Strategies and Transfer/Translation to Countries/Regions such as Germany/Flandern/Brussels Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the European Union Rue Jacques de Lalaing 8-14, 1040 Brussels - Address of Welcome Dr. Peter Rösgen, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative - EU Education and Employment Strategies - lectures and discussion Robin Baltes, Labour & Social Policy Division in the Permanent Representation Maria Höchstädter, Federal Ministry of Education and Research Anita Vella, Deputy Head of Unit Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship, Microfinance Facility in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Lieve Van den Brande, Unit Skills and Qualifications in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion - EU Policy on a Local Level - lectures and discussion Ann Brusseel (local policy maker, Brussels region) Guy Vanhengel (local policy maker, Brussels region Caroline Gennez (local policy maker, Flemish region) 6:00 pm Light Dinner at the Permanent Representation 3

4 7:00/7:30/8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Walking Tours through Brussels - Poverty (Huis van de Mens), 8:00 pm - Matongé (Kuumba), 7:00 pm dinner incl. - Marolles (Brukselbinnenstebuiten), 7:30 pm - Molenbeek (Brukselbinnenstebuiten), 7:30 pm Friday, October 7 th : 8:45 am - 9:00 am Arrival Zespenningenstraat 70, 1000 Brussel Rooms 1.22, :00 am - 10:00 am Cultural Education as a Key to Empowerment Joke Den Haese, Erasmushogeschool Brussel Kaat Verhaeghe, Erasmushogeschool Brussel 10:00 am - 10:30 am 30 break 10:30 am - 11:30 am The Future of Education Talent Training, Empowerment, Life Coaching, Career Coaching Prof. Dr. Aline Bauwens, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Wendy Van Gijsegem, InnerSelf, Brussels 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Group reflection and discussion in reflecting teams 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Field visits to out-of-school places of learning Places to visit: OTA Vlaams-Brabant & Brussel Vooruitgangstraat 333/8, 1030 Brussels Organization working with people of foreign origin Katrien Lauwereys Brede School JES Werkhuizenstraat 3, 1080 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek Sarah Storme A general introduction is followed by different workshops to choose from: a) Walk in the neighborhood Molenbeek with focus on what JES does. b) Walk with Lomap (collage of pictures of what students notice in the neighborhood) c) Binnenbrock (group dynamics, gives an insight in how JES works with youngsters on competences such as cooperation, trust and communication) c) Buitenbroch (similar to Binnenbrock but outdoor activities) 7:00 pm Dinner at La Porteuse d Eau Jean Volderslaan, 1060 Brussels 9:00 pm Free time 4

5 Saturday, October 8 th : 8:45 am - 9:00 am Arrival Zespenningenstraat 70, 1000 Brussels Rooms 1.22, 1.23, 1.19, :00 am - 11:00 am Group reflection and preparation of posters What have I personally learned from this seminar? What have we learned from the seminar? (questions day 1) What have we learned from each other as a group? How was our learning journey during the seminar? What are the implications for my/our practice? 11:00 am - 11:15 am 15 break 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Poster presentation and discussion of our most memorable moments (MMMs) (gallery walk) 12:15 pm - 13:00 pm Closing remarks n.n., Erasmushogeschool Brussel Fanny A. Günthel, Studienkolleg, Foundation of German Business, Berlin Heike Igel, Studienkolleg, Foundation of German Business, Berlin 5