Welsh partners from the DP GWLAD visited the Czech DP "Facilitation of lifelong education in rural conditions"

OBJECTIVES OF THE VISIT:

Study visit, looking especially at:

- engaging and motivating unemployed people

- working with women and mothers

- working in the community

- IT training

- distance learning

- the diversity and methodologies for service delivery in rural areas

- the nature and patterns of substance misuse in the region, how such individuals are treated and whether motivational enhancement is a tool which is used by them

- viewing the schools focused on automotive disciplines and the Skoda Auto factory and discuss the future co-operation

- recognizing the countryside – quality of life, economical production, co-operative activities, natural and cultural environment

- the acquisition and deepening of knowledge of the educational system in Czech republic, particularly the system of further education, retraining and vocational learning etc.

CONTENT OF THE VISIT:

Presentation on the work of the partners involved in DP “Facilitation of lifelong education in rural conditions” and other institutions and establishments of interest, by type or subject, of the visitors. Visits to learning or training providers focused on landscape protection, gardening, forestry, repair services, but also on general skills like computering, accounting, foreign languages etc., participation on the IT course delivered in the community. The meetings with the representatives of NGO and private educational institutions for discussion on the distance learning, retraining for unemployed etc. The presentation of the project focused on employability of women on / after maternity leave. The special programme for one member of Welsh group – visit of Skoda Auto factory and added tour on school workrooms for car mechanists.

Opportunities to discuss or ask questions were available on all occasions, the informal meetings during the lunch or dinner were useful for negotiating the future co-operation between Czech and Welsh educational organisations. Short trips to the Giant Mountains National Park and some important cultural places served as a good opportunity to see the region and recognize the life style and the local conditions. Visit of the glass factory in Harrachov was included to show the local hand-made production with long tradition and explain the running economical changes.

CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATIONS

The programme had been designed to meet the interest and requirements of the visitors. Due to the different interest of the members involved in the Welsh group, there were the parallel programs some of the time. The programme was flexible enough to be adapted to the specific needs and interests and the visitors seemed to be satisfied with the variety of the programme and the information they received. The discussions were very animated and the visitors did not hesitate to ask for the details they were interested in. The representatives of the visited organizations tried to give as concrete and practical information as they were able. The delegation had an opportunity to meet different people and more deeply recognize the Czech project´s specifics, objectives and strategies. It also opened new opportunities and themes for co-operation and partnership.

Czech experts in Northern Wales

The representatives of the Czech DP visited the organizations of the Welsh DP.

The study visit was realized during the second week of July 2006 and it was focused on exchange of experiences and information about further education of adults in rural areas.

Welsh partners prepared varied programme including the visits in different type of institutions and meetings with many interesting people.

Monday 10th of July 2006
- presentations and discussions at University of Wales, Bangor   
Themes:    Reaching Wider, Aiming Higher /// Step into Higher Education /// Work based learning /// Welsh for Adults /// Open Universtiy

Tuesday 11th of July 2006
- Tour of Top College, visits at CAIS and Forestry Commission

Wednesday 12th of July 2006
- visits at Food Co-operative, Medrwn Môn and Coleg Menai

Thursday 13th of July 2006
- visit at IT Course delivered in the community, videoconference with Open University representative, visit of BEN

Friday 14th of July 2006
- visit of Rhyl College (Automotive Dept.)

Many thanks for perfect organization and  preparation of the program to all involved people from Welsh DP.

Czech participants returned full of nice impressions and beautiful experiences and with a good feeling from starting co-operation and with the faith that the mutual relations does not end, but, on the contrary, it was just starting.

The report comprising photos and more detailed description is available here.