Extending Partnerships - EUCU.NET - European Children's University Network

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“Extending Children’s Universities in Europe” – EUCU.NET Networking Days, Liverpool, Sept. 27th- 29th, 2009

The status quo

Children’s Universities have received a massive attention in the education debate in recent years - most of all starting off from German speaking countries - and are still facing a rapidly growing demand on the side of parents and families. Since 2002, each year more than 20 Children’s Universities started their activities all over Continental Europe. All in all, the highly innovative aspect is rooted in the fact that a larger number of Universities started to specifically address children and young people with well prepared lectures, workshops and demonstrations under the term “Children’s Universities”. In the meanwhile they were acknowledged by official authorities as suitable vehicles to communicate science in appropriate ways and to boost enthusiasm for science and technology from the earliest age possible.

On the other hand, there has been long-lasting experience at UK universities as concerns children and young people as a target group beyond the traditional mission of a university. Typically they take a different approach, which is more focused on widening participation with a wide range of targeted activities, not necessarily summarized under the term “Children’s Universities”. Activities of that kind take place at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK.

All in all, both approaches constitute different models, which have been very successful in promoting educational choice and options as well in getting children hooked on science and technology.

[photo by jiruan on flickr]

The offer

EUCU.NET aims to converge both models to let organizers benefit from each other’s experiences best possible. All partners of EUCU.NET are kindly invited to participate in the

EUCU.NET Networking Days, Liverpool

University of Liverpool, UK

September 27^th-29^th, 2009

The aim is to foster the exchange of experiences between different attempts in the UK and in Continental Europe. The two day programme will give participants insight into various models of how universities can actively work with children and young people – with a particular focus on raising aspirations for young people currently unlikely to progress to higher education.

The EUCU.NET Networking Days in Liverpool shall be just the initial point for deepened cooperation between organizers in the UK and in other European countries. A follow-up event is intended to take place in Brussels in Feb. 2010. Between these two events, all participants are requested to network with a UK partner of their choice to introduce their respective models. Other than the Mentoring Partnerships within the EUCU.NET Mentoring programme, these Explorative Partnerships are – due to shorter time frame available – of less formal requirements, e.g. as concerns work programme and reporting. Anyway, all parties interested in participating in the Liverpool event must sign a letter of intent, declaring that they are prepared and able to participate in both events and to cooperate actively in their Explorative Partnership.

Looking forward to seeing you in Liverpool!

The formal requirements

If you are interested in participation, please announce via info@eucu.net before August 30th, 2009!
Interested parties need to commit themselves to participate in the follow-up event in Brussels (Feb. 2010) and to cooperate actively in an Explorative Partnership, which is to be established.
Those parties who are not yet active in the EUCU.NET Mentoring Programme will be treated preferentially.
Interested parties will be required to sign a letter of intent, declaring that they are prepared and able to participate in both evens and to cooperate actively in their Explorative Partnership.
To cover travel and accommodation expenses, EUCU.NET will grant an allowance of EUR 500,00 for each of the two events (Liverpool, Brussels) for one representative of a particular organization. Though, more than one person is welcome to attend on own cost if they wished to.
Interested parties are required to stick to some reporting and accounting conditions as concerns reimbursement:

Only net values can be reimbursed.
For reimbursements claims, a standardized reimbursement form must be used (provided by EUCU.NET)
Reimbursement claims cannot be settled before end of Feb., 2010

Please note that your registration is pending until confirmed by EUCU.NET. Confirmation will be sent via E-Mail. Registrants should obtain confirmation from EUCU.NET before committing to individual travel arrangements. This invitation refers to non-UK partner only. UK partners have been informed by separate email from Tricia Jenkins, University of Liverpool.