As learning mobility is increasingly being employed as a pedagogical tool both in formal and non-formal contexts, issues of quality become a more pressing concern than before. And for a good reason: good quality in learning mobility will ensure that outcomes be optimised and that processes of recognition be facilitated. Moreover, there is a – sometimes very direct – correlation between quality and quantity: the more we know about quality and how to achieve it, the more confident and effective we can be in our efforts to reach out and offer a mobility experience as a meaningful opportunity to all young people, and not just to the most privileged and resourceful.

With a mandate from the Steering Group of the European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM), the team of the partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the youth field has coordinated a process that has led to a set of principles for quality in learning mobility as part of a Quality Framework on Learning Mobility in the Youth Field.

The Call was launched in 2016 for contributing to a public consultation on the current draft of the Principles on Quality in Learning Mobility in the Youth Field.

The consultation was addressed to:

  • Young people who have participated in learning mobility activities (youth exchanges, EVS, placements, school stays);
  • Practitioners in the field of learning mobility (project organisers and youth workers);
  • National Erasmus+ agencies;
  • Researchers;
  • Policy makers.

The European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) is an open participatory space for exchange and co-operation between practitioners, researchers and policy makers. With ‘practitioners’ the platform means programme staff, trainers and consultants, youth workers and other multipliers in the youth field and in youth work. The mission of the EPLM is to engage in the improvement, knowledge, visibility and recognition of learning mobility in the youth field.

Learning mobility, in an EPLM-context, is defined as “transnational mobility undertaken for a period of time, consciously organised for educational purposes or to acquire new competences or knowledge”. Even when limited to youth work, it covers a variety of projects, activities and target groups. The Steering Group of the EPLM, having heard the opinion of the participants of the 2015 biennial conference that took place in Istanbul in October 2015, concluded that it would be a positive step ahead to develop hands-on guidelines

related activity in 2018

Back Expert Seminar on the quality framework of learning mobility projects in the youth field

Expert Seminar on the quality framework of learning mobility projects in the youth field

Expert Seminar on the quality framework of learning mobility projects in the youth field

Background

Recognition for the benefits of learning mobility is increasing, and developments on the European level reflect this. The issue of the quality (and not just quantity) of learning mobility projects has become a pressing concern for many people, at this moment of change and development of European Programmes and Strategies - with the upcoming European Solidarity Corps, discussions of the new EU youth programme after 2020 and other programmes, of the next European Youth Strategy, and the Council of Europe ‘Youth Agenda 2030’, just to name a few. This event brought together researchers, practitioners and policy makers in formal and non-formal education in the youth field. The focus of the seminar was on quality, and it specifically addressed two tools that the European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) developed to support quality in learning mobility projects.

What is the EPLM?

The EPLM aims to improve knowledge, visibility and recognition of learning mobility in the youth field through exchange and cooperation of stakeholders (researchers, policy makers and practitioners). It creates and maintains a collective, multi-professional voice from the youth field on the common concern of learning mobility, organises events bringing together actors in the field of learning mobility, and publishes materials and tools for the support of all actors involved. The EPLM is coordinated by the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth.

Quality Tools

Over years 2017 and 2018, the EPLM initiated the development of two complementary tools to support quality in learning mobility: a handbook on quality of youth mobility projects (featuring a presentation of quality principles, indicators and examples of good practice) and a practical web-based application targeting youth workers for self-assessment of quality in mobility projects in the youth field. These tools are based on the 22 quality principles developed in 2017, and include resources, tips, tricks and practice to encourage further quality development.

Expert Seminar ‘From Good to Better’

Together with the French National Agency of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme, the EPLM organised a 2 ½ day expert seminar in Lille, France. We welcomed 70 participants at this event: practitioners, researchers and decision makers from the Member States of the European Union and of the Council of Europe. Technicians and app developers also attended.

In attending the seminar, participants were able to:

  • Share the many dimensions of quality in projects, exchanging practices and resources, learning from others and gaining inspiration from alternative approaches to improve their own;
  • Provide expertise in relation to the quality tool development, which would be spread to stakeholders all over Europe in 2019 to support quality in learning mobility;
  • Receive updates on the newest policy proposals, as well as research results relating to the field and a chance to ‘meet the researchers’;
  • Build a stronger network across the sectors (policy/practice/research), widening contacts and working relationships, to be able to deliver stronger and better learning mobility projects in the field of youth.

For more Information about the expert seminar/contact:

Lille, France 15-18 May 2018
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