Recognition of learning in Scouting and Guiding

Date of event th th 8 10 of June 2012 Place of event Bohinj, Slovenia Date of report rd 11 of October 2011 Author of report Joris Schut Scouting Nederland Summary Recognition is one of the key issues today in several national Scout associations across Europe. Project proposal from the Scouting Netherlands got support from the Youth in Action program to lead a project that involves associations from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. WOSM and WAGGGS European Regions are supporting the project providing expert support if and when needed. During this (third) meeting enhancements and progress in the original plans were presented. Guest presentations were held to share best practices. Also a start was made for future projects. Number of participants and countries represented Counties Female Belgium (SGV and Les Scouts) 1 Czech Republic 1 Denmark (KFUM) France (SGdF) 1 The Netherlands 1 Portugal (CNE) Slovenia (ZTS) 3 Spain (ASDE) 1 WAGGGS 1 WOSM Total 9

Male 3 4 2 1 1 11

Total 1 4 1 5 2 4 1 1 1 20

Aims of the event Aim of the meeting was to monitor and enhance the working and development process of each pilot project of the different countries.

Programme The programme included elements like getting to know each other/teambuilding, presentations of the 1 national project plans, workshops to experience the different tools developed by various countries and feedback sessions related to the workshops. Teambuilding Teambuilding activities were done to transform the members of the various project teams into a single group and as energizers. Presentations of the progress in the project In a short presentation Belgium and The Netherlands presented the progress they made since the last meeting in Portugal. The Netherlands presented a simplified tool of their competence model. This simplified model can be used by local groups to identify the learning needs of new leaders. Les Scouts (Belgium) presented their self-evaluation tool for leaders. This tool was developed in collaboration with a Belgium university. Expert presentations Presentations were given by Ross Donald of the Scouts of Scotland and Filomena Grasso from WAGGGS. Ross Donald talked about the formal recognition of Scouting in the Scottish educational system. Filomena Grasso talked about the Policy Agenda on Volunteering in Europe (P.A.V.E). Open space session An open space session was held in which participants could share their problems and ask for help from the participants. Two rounds, lasting thirty minutes, of three sessions each were held. Round/session 1 1 Czech Motivate new members of groups Czech Comparing self evaluation tools 2 The Netherlands Simplifying the qualification cards The Netherlands Increasing consciousness for adult learning 3 Portugal Non formal recognition evaluation Spain Setting up mentoring schemes

Results 1.1 Propositions should be made more attractive for (new) volunteers. Regional commissioners should focus more on human resources. Also more general pr instruments should be used. 1.2 Using the Portuguese competence tool can be adapted to be used in the Dutch system. This can make the qualification card simpler. 1.3 It is more important to communicate the skills learned in scouting to the business world so they can understand the scout language better. Building tools can be made more efficient when developed collectively. 2.1 A coherent list of all available tools can be a good thing and helpful in choosing your methodology. 2.2 Two groups were identified in the field of development in volunteering. Not everyone is motivated to do training but the training can be very useful. Economical crises can be an opportunity to motive those who dont want to participate in training since the added value is clearer in tighter job markets.

These countries were: Belgium, Scotland, The Netherlands and WAGGGS

2.3 Regional trainers can train coaches in the local groups which can help leaders to acquire the necessary knowledge Dreaming of the future As a final activity an exercise was done with the purpose of dreaming about the steps that have to be undertaken after the completion of the ROLIS project. By imagining the situation in 1 and 5 years time regarding recognition of learning in Scouting the first steps were taken for possible future Youth in Action applications. This activity also served as a method to continue the process of getting learning recognized. An overview of the results is presented below. Country Belgium Situation in 1 year Scout leader skills are known by all leaders, commissioners and parents Situation in 5 years Scout leaders understand the skills they learn in Scouting and speak spontaneous about them. Skills learned in Scouting are an advantage. Self evaluation as a genuine part of training and better collaboration with HR Certification of the training system (ISO standards) Develop a framework to evaluate the project and test developed tools. Finished implementation of the educational system Creating a culture of reflection in which awareness about learning in Scouting exist among volunteers What is your ultimate goal/What do you want The labour market is aware of and convinced that Scout leaders have the skills the job market and civil society needs

Czech Republic

Denmark France

Systematic self evaluation of leaders with a light version of the competence profile The existence of a local skill market Built a recognition tool for Scouting by using other counties as example Recognition tool online and recognized by trainers. Development of a competence translator Make the qualification card more attractive

Cooperation with universities, Belgium and Denmark More connection with the business sector in the field of recognition of learning Present results in a European summit

Portugal

Slovenia

Dont know yet but open for suggestions

Spain The Netherlands

Looking together at the possibilities of designing and developing e-learning and other online tools

Evaluation During the programme creative activities were undertaken to reflect on the initial goals as set by the different project teams of the various countries and to what extend these original goals had been achieved and to evaluate the programme of the meeting. The results of the evaluation are shown below. Positive - The opening gallery was a good way to help the participants to remember what had been achieved since the beginning of this project. - It was also a nice way to go from a formal program part to an informal one later in the evening. Negative - The information beforehand said that the program was until the afternoon, later on this changed, making that people booked late flights / had to stay till Monday while this was not necessary.

Steal from others - The Belgian tool was very impressive and many countries want to steal this idea. - Also the partnership between the schools and scouting in Scotland was seen as an inspiring idea. Other topics - Compile pictures of Friday evening artwork (ask Spain and Denmark to also send something) - Invite Christian (Spanish member of WOSM EU committee) for evaluation meeting - Send contact list to all participants Follow up action The project includes individual projects in each of the countries and one more meeting of the project leaders. In August 2012 there will be the final network meeting in the Netherlands. This network meeting will focus on evaluating the results of the whole project and looking forward to future the further sharing of ideas, discussing approaches, exchanging methods and materials and implementation of the activity plans for each national project team. Budget and financial report Travel costs were refunded for 70%, including the bus or train tickets to and from the airport and accommodation from the Youth in Action programme. The Regions covered WOSM and WAGGGS representatives' travels.