| | | ACC Bulletin No. 60
September 28th 2004
ACC International Programme Office
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Rural Development Community College (RDCC), ACC Latvia and Rites Tautskola
Challenges of Enlargement Community College (CECC)
Europe of Rights Community College II (ERCC)
Demos Community College (DCC)
Cornwall Community College (CoCC)
First European Community College (FECC)
New tools for knowledge sharing /multiplying
ACC is an Organisational Development Award Winner 2004
ACC nominated in the Newropeans Networks Grandprix 2004
CoE, EU and municipality support
General Assembly of the ACC
New office staff, Helle Villekold Jørgensen and Perrine Martin
Invitations received
Calendar
Welcome to new members
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Rural Development Community College (RDCC) and ACC in Latvia
Around 30 young Europeans from Denmark, Netherlands (Frisia) and Latvia (Latgale/Jekabpils) took part in the Community College Week in Rites Tautskola (Jekabpils, LV) from 17th - 24th of July.
During the RDCC there were planned and carried out several study visits to different organisations in Jēkabpils district in order to analyse their role in rural development, their successes and failures, and to compare it with participants’ experience from their local municipalities in their respective countries. A number of plenary debates, socialising games, presentations and more general discussions of the nature of the European integration as well as the role of periphery areas' role in this future were on the agenda.
The background of the project is that most of the families living in Jēkabpils district are economically disadvantaged, the living standard is low compared to other areas in Latvia and it is also one of the poorest regions in the European Union (Latgale). We have considered the Rural Development Community College to be of particular importance in order to create contacts to other regions in Europe considered to have parallel challenges - even if on a very different level.
The contacts created among Danish, Frisian/Dutch and Latvians are hopefully going be of importance for inspiring young people to take part in the development of a future more integrated Europe. The learning and living together format of Community College events like RDCC has once again proved to be a very important tool for the development of human resources, for the development of a model European public sphere and for creating lasting contacts across borders of cultural, political and linguistic nature.
The partners of the RDCC were Rites Tautskola (www.zednet.lv/~rta/), the international committee of the Fryske Folkshegeskoalle Schylgeralan (http://www.folkshegeskoalle.nl), the ACC Tautskolas Eiropai/ACC Latvia Committee and the ACC (www.acc.eu.org). The project was supported by the EU-Youth programme through national offices of The Netherlands and Latvia.
Already now partners are planning another RDCC for 2005.
During the RDCC the participants were asked to contribute to a discussion on "what is common for Europe?" and, considering their own answer, what would a future European Citizenship Education, taking place at the First European Community College (www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1381.asp) eventually consist of. Video-documentaries can be found at the the shared ftp-server from www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp. The sound of the video-documentaries seems to work only in RealPlayer, and even then it needs some improval - it is coming up.
Since 5 years, the ACC Tautskolas Eiropai has arranged children's summer camps at Rites Tautskola. This year as well, and as usually with success and due to the commitment and hard work of ACC members and Rites Tautskola staff. This year it was even decided to organize a reunion and to invite all the kids that have taken part in all 5 summer camps. The reunion was planned and carried out from August 27th-29th. The programme prooved to be both entertaining, creative with a lot of workshops, games, activities, memories and fun. Thanks to events like this one, the commitment to the Rites Tautskola is positively developing (www.zednet.lv/~rta/)
One of the childrens summer camps was the "Diverse World Camp". All together 22 kids (12-15 years old) took part in the camp. There were visitors from the Embassy of Canada and the USA as well as a speaker on South Africa. There was also a lot of material received from different Embassies and Ministries of Foreign Affairs.... and Indian cooking, English 5 o'clock tea, mehendi or henna painting, Aboriginal party, a hike to the local museum and that all besides English, computer, singing and painting classes :)
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Challenges of Enlargement Community College (CECC)
From the 23rd July till the 6th August 40 young Europeans from Spain, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy gathered in Trieste (Italy) and Pliskovica (Slovenia) to focus on challenges of the EU-enlargement, such as mobility, integration and networking.
The participants experienced the residential Community College format in the context of the Italian – Slovenian border region.
The ACC GoodWill committee were organising the CECC in close cooperation with the Students organisation of the university of Ljubljana and Progetto Aggregazione Giovanile. The CECC was financially supported by the Students Organisation of Slovenia, Slovensko Kulturno Gospodarska Zveza, Svet Slovenskih Orgasnizacij, Trzaska matica, Slovenski Raziskovalni Institut, the European Commission - Youth Programme, the Regione autonoma del Friuli Venezia Giulia, and with the help of the Slovenski Dijaski Dom Srecko Kosovel, Slovenski Dezelni Zavod za Poklicno Izobrazevanje, Youth Hostel Pliskovica, Slovenski Taborniki v Italiji RMV the Challenges of Enlargement Community College.
An ACCent issue will be published within autumn this year on the main topics and conclusions of the event. The title of the ACCent issue no.3 is expected to be "European Love and other Challenges of Enlargement".
The event was closely followed by local Italian and Slovenian media both from Italy and Slovenia.
During the CECC the participants were asked to contribute to a discussion on "what is common for Europe?" and, considering their own answer, what would a future European Citizenship Education, taking place at the First European Community College (www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1381.asp) eventually consist of. Video-documentaries can be found at the the shared ftp-server from www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp. The sound of the video-documentaries seems to work only in RealPlayer, and even then it needs some improval - its coming up.
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Europe of Rights Community College II (ERCC II)
The ERCC II took place from 14th-23rd September at Casa Cares, Reggello (Florence), Italy, and was attended by 35 young Europeans from 17 states.
During the lectures, workshops and debates, the participants discussed about European identity, the role of religion in human rights and new rights. A final document on these issues was approved as an expression of the ideas shared by the participants. Three groups took one chapter each to express, in the form of articles, the principles they considered most important. The articles were then exchanged and discussed in the groups and proposals for amendments were presented by group representatives at a plenary session. Each proposal was discussed by all participants and a compromise was reached using the consensus method. In the end the whole document was one by which every participant could feel represented.
The final document is going to be made public as soon as possible - among other places at the http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1982.asp where you can find more information about the project. A range of local cooperators took part in implementing and preparing the project with moral and financial support. Mainly, the project was possible due support by Council of Europe / European Youth Foundation.
The overall objective of the project was - as usually - to promote the community college format as a way of improving a European public sphere. ACC believes that living and learning together under the same roof is the best way of overcoming different prejudices and promoting European awareness.
We have succeeded once again!
During the ERCC II the participants were asked to contribute to a discussion on "what is common for Europe?" and, considering their own answer, what would a future European Citizenship Education, taking place at the First European Community College (www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1381.asp) eventually consist of. Video-documentaries can soon be found at the the shared ftp-server from www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp. The sound of the video-documentaries seems to work only in RealPlayer, and even then it needs some improval - its coming up.
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Demos Community College (DCC)
As released in the Bulletin 55; the ACC Hellenic Committee is preparing the DCC in Rhodes/Greece.
The idea is still to revisit, explore Democracy by actually becoming a real Demos through means of the Community College format.
However, the project has been postponed, since we did not succeed with the fundraising. The project is now supposed to take place in spring, given some hopefully better fundraising conditions.
The project is still open for showing interest, maybe as participant, maybe if your networks/associations are willing to take part, please just
go to the website, read more, fill in the application form. http://www.acc.eu.org/frontend/pages/SEEEMS_2063.asp
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Cornwall Community College (CoCC)
The ACC Cornwall Committee managed to raise a huge amount of money for this project. However, also this project had to be postponed, since the price level in the UK demands even more money to be found. The project is now planned to take place in August 2005. Find more at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/141.asp
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First European Community College (FECC)
The FECC is the headline of a project that has proved to be some of a challenge and very time-consuming (http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1381.asp) .
The ambition has come up time and again since the ACC was founded in 1999, that we should aim at creating a model-example of how schools for Europe could be realized. A real European Community College!
The ACC General Assembly 2002 encouraged the board to give it a try and to work for establishing the First European Community College. Since it was most likely realizable in Denmark, where the tradition of Folk High Schools is well established, we were considering Denmark as the place for the establishment of the First European Community College.
The project Youth2002 together with the Community College events (http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/128.asp) we have carried out from 1999 up until now, has created a large group of enthusiasts, a huge number of people all over Europe is supporting the idea. We believe they are the best “ambassadors” for our project of creating a First European Community College.
Following up on the Youth2002 the ACC International Programme Office made a consultation among the Youth2002 participants in particular. They were asked if they could imagine themselves in the role of facilitators or teachers in such a school. They were also asked to give ideas and proposals on topics, that could be included in a future school-plan or plan for courses. A huge number of replies, ideas and support made it possible to construct a description and a model of how the First European Community College could function with the help of our many ambassadors, members and well-tested projects and programmes (description at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp).
In December 2002 the ACC board together with an enlarged working group had a very fruitful seminar in which the aim of founding a First European Community College was included in the working plan for the years 2003-2005.
In February 2003 a group of 30 young Europeans met at the "Schools for Europe Community College II" in order to edit the spring issue 2003 of the Journal of World Education (downloadable at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1044.asp). The “Journal” can be seen as a compilation of preparatory and PR-material in order to set the stage for the founding of the First European Community College. This step in the process was especially important since a group within the group of 30 were working on a proposal for a set of bylaws (available at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp) for the First European Community College. The “Journal” including the first proposal for bylaws was released in April 2003.
The FECC as an idea, a school-plan, ideology, statutes, personel, timetable, courses, etc. etc. would be more than ready, if it wasnt for lack of financial support. Even our position as what validating FECC-learning concerns (and on the background of educational policy of the EU) has been debated and a summary is available at the ftp-server at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp
To get financial support, you need moral support. That is why we are working on creating a network of organisations and individuals to support the FECC. We have got many postive replys from all parts of Danish society - business life, arts, educational sector, politics etc. etc.
A recent letter from Minister of Integration, Mr Bertel Haarder, proves that we have support even within the nowadays Danish government. Mr Haarder expresses his warm support to the project. Mr Niels Helveg Petersen (foreign affairs) and Mrs Margrethe Vestager (education) are among former ministers supporting the project just as are several Danish MEP's. Even if three former chairpersons of the Danish Folk High School Association (FFD) are among the supporters of the FECC as well, we havent managed to get the support of the FFD for the FECC (even if support for a FECC outside Denmark could possibly be supported by the FFD). This is so much more important, since we have the impression the support of the Danish Ministry of Education will as a minimum demand the moral support of the FFD.
In general, it has proved to be even very difficult to find support for a project this ambitious in Denmark, and especially with the clear European profile of it. As everywhere, the European dimension is at the highest thought of as a dimension of the national (Danish), while the Danish as a dimension of the European is a non-existant perception.
Of course, these kinds of troubles make the FECC project even more important.
The next step in the development of the FECC is to make public the works that have been done so far. Everything is now made public at an ftp-server. Find it here http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp
Apart from sharing in general, making public all material has the purpose of allowing many more to take part in the discussion of future contents of a European Citizenship Education just as it has the purpose to commit many more to this discussion and to the idea of opening a FECC.
Within very short time, we will invite everybody to take part in a range of webseminars dealing with contents of a future European Citizenship Education. Webseminars are going to take place on October 25st-31st, November 15th -21st and December 6th - 12th. The webseminar contributions will be visible at http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/2702.asp in order for everybody to see whatever idea may come up on principles, methods and aims of a non-formal European Citizenship Education. This particular webplace is for the moment a bit messy, but improvements are on their way.
You are welcome already now to (A) comment on files in the ftp-server, to (B) express the support to the FECC-project by your organisation, to (C) contribute to the common storage of files, by sending files to upload to the ftp-server on methods, principles and aims of the FECC/European Citizenship Education. Use the folling address: seminar@acc.eu.org
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New tools for sharing knowledge/multiplying
The Multiplier at the members site is going through a revisioning. An ftp-server should guarantee access of everybody holding a members-code to a lot of files of the ACC - project-descriptions, presentations, budgets, publications, presentations, FECC-files, articles, etc.etc..
Moreover, parts of the ftp-server is accessible from the Presskit (presentations and some heavy photos) just as the FECC-related issues are accessible from the FECC-part of the website. Last but not least, the publications are publicly accessible from Publications and Productions-part of the website (http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS/1044.asp).
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ACC is an Organisational Development Award Winner 2004
The ACC is a recipient of the OD Network's Outstanding Global Work Award. The Awards and Recognition Committee met in April and agreed to recognize ACC for its sustainability and its breadth and depth of global work.
The award serves a need of the OD community - recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions and achievements in serving the field of organization development.
The award will be presented during one of the Plenaries of the 2004 OD Network Annual Conference (3 - 6 October 2004, Puerto Rico). The ACC is going to be present at this occasion. More info at http://www.odnetwork.org/conf2004
The contact between the ACC and the OD network has come into being because of solid networking by our member Nataliya Nikolova (BG). Thank you Nataliya.
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Newropeans Networks Grandprix 2004
"ACC" is nominated for for the "Grands Prix Newropeans 2004" in the category "Citizenship / Youth-Education". See details at http://www.newropeans.org/en/on-going/grands-prix/nominees.htm.
Initiated by the think-tank Europe 2020 and the Newropeans Networks in the framework of the closing event of the Newropeans Democracy Marathon 2003 this "Grands Prix" aim at rewarding persons, organizations or projects having significantly contributed to the democratization of the European Union, closing the gap between European citizens and the EU construction.
A Jury made of 500 representatives of the European civil society will select the winners through an online election between October 1st - 22nd 2004; the results will be announced on October 22nd (8 pm) online as well as during a private event at the Villa des Ternes (Paris).
http://www.newropeans.org/en/on-going/grands-prix/index.htm
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CoE, EU and municipality support
Finally recieving positive replys from both the Council of Europe (EYF), the EU-Commission (EAC) and the Municipality of Aarhus during summer, we are safe as what cocerns running the ACC and the ACC International Programme Office in 2004. Rather late answers, but so much more a relief.
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ACC General Assembly 2004
The General Assembly 2004 took place on August 7th in Slovenia, hosted by the ACC Good Will Committee. Minutes of the GA as well as the revised Statutes are to be found in the members section: http://www.acc.eu.org/SEEEMS.asp?id=214
A change that seems small but is actually a milestone in the history of the ACC, is that Laszlo Dani (Budapest) withdrew from the board work after 5 years. This only to make way for the GA to elect Erik Jentges. We are looking forward to co-operate with Erik in the board, but at the same time it is sad to say goodbye to Laszlo Dani. Laszlo is among the founders and the main inspiring persons behind the very founding of the ACC. Thanks a lot Laszlo!
Linda Jakobsone (Riga), Conchi Gallego (Madrid) and Jan-Christoph Napierski (Haan) were re-elected to the board. No others were candidating. Emma Yeoman was re-elected as a substitute to the board, as mentioned, together with Erik Jentges.
The ACC consisted on the day of the General Assembly of around 400 members.
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New office staff, Helle Villekold Jørgensen, Perrine Martin and Mjellma Mehmeti
"Hello my name is Helle and I have just started working at the ACC office (September 1st). I hold a master’s degree in International Studies and enjoy being a part of an international environment as the ACC. My main working tasks at the ACC office will be to coordinate the communication within the ACC organization as well as I will be involved in ongoing ACC activities and projects and the planning of new ones. I am looking forward to helping you or assisting you with your projects so please do not hesitate to contact me." helle@acc.eu.org
"Hello dear ACC interested! My name is Perrine, I am French, 24, and I am currently helping at ACC office, as a volunteer (and trainee by the same occasion). So you may have to deal with me sometimes ! I am also studying for my MASTER in European Studies here in Aarhus. I am also a member of ACC, and I have been a participant in Minority Course 2000 in Aabenraa, Youth 2002 in Skælskør and Youth 2003 in Aabenraa, so some of your names are familiar to me already. I am looking forward to hearing from you all !" martinperrine@hotmail.com
Helle is holding a full time position while Perrine will be in the office some days every week. Still, Mjellma Mehmeti is in the office some times, but mainly working in the field. This summer Mjellma has been helping the Båring Højskole (Fuenen, DK) with their international courses and the Earth Education Academy. We hope to enhance our International Education Consultancy work with more institutions as well.
John Petersen is still working full time in the office, which means that between 2 and 4 people are working in the ACC International Programme Office for the time being.
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Invitations received (find it at the website):
Small islands developing 7-12/1-2005 (Mauritius)
International Folklore Festival (30.5.-15.6.05 Wrzesnia)
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Calendar:
June 25th, John Petersen and Mjellma Mehmeti meeting Jan Ifversen and Lisanne Wilken at the European Studies, University of Århus
June 28th, Europe by Satellite broadcasting the Transylvania Community College documentary.
June 29th, Europe by Satellite broadcasting the Transylvania Community College documentary.
June 28th to July 23rd, ACC co-organises the exhibition "Bulgaria in the pictures of one Englishman”- in Varna, Bulgaria Regional Library of Varna, by Nataliya Nikolova
July 2nd- 11th, "Diverse world" children camp in Rites Tautskola, Rite (LV)
July 10th-11th, Kerttu Lohmus and Helena Soares visiting the ACC Office.
July 3rd, Europe by Satellite broadcasting the Transylvania Community College documentary.
July 18th – 25th Rural Development Community College, Rites Tautskola, Rite (LV)
July 19th, ACC Hellenic Committee meeting
July 27th Perrine Martin visiting the office
July 23rd to August 7th, Challenges of Enlargement CC, Trieste (I) and Pliskovica (SLO)
August 7th, ACC General Assembly, Slovenia
July 23rd - July 29th, Nataliya Nikolova representing the ACC at the “Contact 2004 The Illegal Odyssey”, Malta
July - August, Mjellma Mehmeti a consultant at the Båring Folk High School (DK)
August 20th Alf Christensen visiting the office
August 27th-29th, 5 years reunion of children camps participants at Rites Tautskola (LV).
September 1st, Helle Villekold beginning at the ACC Office
September 1st – 3rd Rhisiart Talebot visiting the ACC Office, preparing the CoCC
September 10th onwards, Perrine Martin voluntarily working in the office
September 6th, ACC-members taking part in the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Stiftung-lecture (Berlin)
September 12th, GA in ACC Tautskolas Eiropai
September 13th, ACC Italy Committee meeting at CasaCares (I)
September 14th-23rd, Europe of Rights Community College II, Reggello (I)
September 15th, Alf Chistensen interviewing Mjellma Mehmeti.
September 16th–20th Mjellma Mehmeti and John Petersen at Reggello (FECC intro)
September 21st, Bori Ivanov, Laszlo Dani and John Petersen interviewed for Hungarian Radio
September 23rd-26th: Conchi Gallego, Dasa Bolcina and John Petersen representing the ACC at the Networking European Citizenship Education conference, Santiago de Compostela
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A warm welcome to our new members:
Pinar Burcu Güner, Mecidiyeköy-Istanbul
Jort Bijleveld, Kubaard
Frauke Gritze, Bad Breisig
Vanja Perovsek, Smarje Sap
Anna Wehrenfennig, Opicina-Trieste
Konstantin Antropov, Riga
David Dalmau Pamplona, Barcelona
Daniel Senach, Santander
Elisabeth Dalmau Pamplona, Barcelona
Anna Jevas, Tallinn
András Perlaki, Budapest
Joanna Polawska, Minsk Mazowiecki
Francesca Pradella, Modena
Daniele Rosa, Trofarello
Tanja Wolf, Münster
Karolina Zegan, Milanówek
Michael Zimovski, Kroczyce
Dirk Kalusa, Rostock
Sabina Mikulin, Ilirska Bistrica
Sierd van der Bij, Burdaard
Arjen van Dijk, Tzummarum
Madeleine Smith, Boness
Orhan Ferhat Yarar, Ankara
Olta Cakciri, Tirana
Elvira Fundukova, Simferopol
Dilek Ozyigit, Istanbul
Stefan Valentin, Moss Pointe Place (US)
Roberta Agnello, Maria C.V
Valentina Strammiello, Taranto
Anastasiya Peeva, Münster
Silvia Martinez Canton,
Sofie Bestle, Copenhagen
James Harvey, Otterton
Juraj Alexander, Bratislava
Luiza Czajkowska, Krakow
Sofia Magnusson, Uppsala
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Our best regards,
Helle Villekold and John Petersen
ACC International Programme Office
Falstersgade 44, st.
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
0045 7363 0043
0045 2425 3068
www.acc.eu.org
office@acc.eu.org
Skype 1: accoffice
Skype 2: acc-helle | | |
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