A study visit is a short stay of three to five days in a host country for a group of 10 to 15 European education and vocational training specialists and decision-makers. They are stakeholders who want to examine a particular aspect of lifelong learning in another participating country. A study visit usually includes presentations and on-site visits to places such as educational and training institutions, ministries and training sites. They provide a forum for discussion, exchange and learning on themes of common interest and on European and national priorities. Study visits support European cooperation to develop policies for lifelong learning and are part of the EU’s Lifelong learning programme 2007-13 (LLP). Cedefop coordinates the programme at European level for the European Commission since the 1 January 2008. At national level study visits are coordinated by the National Agencies located in the participating countries.

WHY?
The city of Rotterdam is a place where traditionally a lot of minorities live together and get along fine. Each minority has the opportunity of being taught, besides Dutch, in its own language and can preserve its culture, customs and characteristics. Our aim is to stress the importance of internalisation of multicultural and intercultural approaches on a European scale and concentrate on areas where intercultural dialogue is more likely to contribute to ‘better living’ among people in the EU.

• European citizenship;
• Values, pedagogical and didactic aspects to build a European identity;
• How to promote intercultural dialogue and European cooperation.

• Meet with students, teachers, heads of schools and experts;
• Meet with NEAC – Network of European Active Citizens;
• Attend roundtables.

• Directors of education and vocational training institutions, centres or providers,
• Educational and vocational training inspectors,
• Head teachers, teacher trainers,
• Heads of departments,
• Pedagogical or guidance advisers,
• Representatives of chambers of commerce/ industry/crafts,
• Representatives of educational services, labour offices or guidance centres,
• Representatives of local, regional and national authorities,
• Researchers.

Involved Subjects
Schools, Universities, NEAC Network, Governmental Institutions, Companies, Associations.

Number of places  15
Minimum required   7

Working language
The working language of the study visits is English and an effort is made to ensure that the Dutsch educators who are invited to meet the group have a sufficient command of the English language. In case this is not possible translation is always assured.

Places
 

Fee
Euro 900,00 - inclusive of hotel accommodation (5 nights in single room), meals, study tour, local transports in Rotterdam and study materials.
Participants who plan to arrive earlier or stay longer are kindly requested to inform us in advance.
Participants who cancel their study visit should also let us know in good time. Participants who withdraw at short notice or fail to turn up might be asked to pay a cancellation fee of Euros 200.00.
In case a group member might wish to be accompanied by another person they should take into consideration the fact that this person cannot take part in the activities of the group. (Our Bureau will be happy to make hotel reservations for those extra persons, provided they pay all costs themselves).

Selection of Participants
Selection of individual participants is made by their National Agencies and placement is made by the EU Office.
The call for applications is open and will take place from 2 February – 9 April 2009.

Flow of Information
Participants selected for the Study Visits will receive information from the organizer two months before the visit takes place. Normally, the list of participants along with their application form is sent by EU Office to the organizer at this time. Before we receive the final list of participants we are unable to make accommodation reservations or send any kind of information.
The organizer will send general information on the Italian education system and details about itineraries, transportation and accommodation arrangements as well as a draft programme.
Participants are kindly requested to send confirmation of their participation at their earliest convenience indicating the exact dates of their arrival and departure. Without a confirmation hotel reservations are only provisional.