A network meeting full of fruitful discussions and collaborative work

On 11-12 October 2022, the core team members of the project invited experts for the network meeting to Graz. Nine experts – from practitioners to researchers to administrators with different decision-making abilities and needs – joined us for two days and we had the chance to see the project from new perspectives. The exchange and the discussions with the experts were extremely fruitful.

It became clear that despite the differences and individual needs, all neighbouring regions have similar problems. This became a key realisation for the Guide which is being prepared – it is not possible to address all the needs, but instead to focus on the ones we have in common. Similarities bind people together– our common vision has been confirmed. The great variety of perspectives aided not only with sharpening our understanding of needs, but also contributed to the production of valuable materials, giving a clearer vision of how to proceed with the creation of the Guide.

The meeting deepened the knowledge of the key team members, but more importantly acted as an energy boost, by showing how much the product is needed and awaited. What was most important: the participants discovered not only similarities in their perspectives and expectations but also made friends both on an academic and on a personal level.

Authors: Barbara Morcinek-Abramczyk, Vaida Misevičiūtė, Claudia Polzin-Haumann

Voices from the network meeting: video in Czech, German, French and Lithuanian

ECML project website “Enhancing language education in cross-border vocational education education (initiale/in-service)” (2020-2023): www.ecml.at/crossbordervocationaleducation (available in English and French)