There is an Alternative: Regional Seminar on Global Education

The regional seminar TIA – There Is An Alternative – on Global Education (GE) took place from December 4th to 5th in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This event was organized by the Slovenian NGDO platform SLOGA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, other regional platforms (SKOP – Malta, CYINDEP – Cyprus, FOND – Romania, BPID – Bulgaria) and partners and with the support of the North-South Center of the Council of Europe.

TIA took place in the framework of the Joint Management Agreement signed between the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and the European Commission for raising awareness of global interdependence and solidarity through global/development education and youth cooperation in Europe and beyond. As a follow-up to the strategic recommendations of the 2nd GE Congress held in Lisbon in 2012, a series of national and regional seminars took place in the new EU member states.

Slovenia hosted the seminar for the South East Europe and Mediterranean region. The event was opened by the Minister of Education Dr Pikalo in front of more than 50 participants (formal and non-formal educators, NGO representatives, governmental representatives such as Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria and Ireland. The aim of the seminar was to discuss the concepts of GE. The goal was not to search for common definitions but to look for similarities and differences in its understanding and finding ways to work together for the common goal despite of (or because of) differences. The situation of GE in all participating countries was presented and two round-tables about global perspectives and about GE achievements until 2015 allowed identifying and discussing the current and upcoming challenges. During different workshops (‘National strategy development and implementation’, ‘continuing professional development of educators’, ‘quality in GE’ and ‘Campaigning and outreach’), recommendations have been drafted (they will be published soon on Sloga’ website).

The participants are already looking into further collaboration through reinforcement of existing networks, creation of open spaces for discussions, implementation of trainings and common projects and campaigns.

For more information please contact Marjan Huč, SLOGA at: info@sloga-platform.org


Information provided by Malika El Garouni, SLOGA