Thematic Networking Events
Thematic Networking Events
Thematic Networking Groups link lifelong learning practice to policy development.
Thematic Networking Groups (TNGs) provide an opportunity for interested stakeholders to share information, exchange innovative practice and work together to make sure the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) is relevant to, and influences, current or future policy.
Members meet twice a year at TNG events to discuss policy developments and network with other organisations involved in the Lifelong Learning Programme. An event report with an overview of presentations and discussions is published and disseminated to key stakeholders.
Thematic Networking in Scotland
25 May 2010, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh.
Lifelong learning practice to policy development
Our latest Thematic Networking Event was held on the 25 May 2010 at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. This was our first event in Scotland and over 60 delegates attended including project promoters, key stakeholders and education and training professionals.
In the morning plenary session, the delegates heard from key speaker Hugh McAloon, Deputy Director for Employability and Skills at the Scottish Government about the Skills and Lifelong Learning Policy Framework for Scotland and insight into the refreshed skills strategy for Scotland.
Download 'Skills and Lifelong Learning Policy Framework for Scotland' Presentation
Kursat Levent Egriboz, Director of the LLP, from ECOTEC chaired the morning session and gave an overview of Thematic work followed by an interactive quiz. Download 'Thematic work' Presentation
Jonathan Piggins from the Joint International Unit presented an introduction on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the work of the Education Policy Committee. Finally, delegates heard about the exciting Inclusion project lead by the UK National Agency looking at the participation of under-represented groups in the LLP.Download 'Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development (OECD)' Presentation
Download 'Inclusion project' Presentation
The remainder of the event was dedicated to the four TNGs hosting their individual workshop sessions. In the workshops, delegates had a presentation on their topic followed by fruitful discussions on key issues important to the theme of their group.
To read more about the workshop discussions and see details of all the plenary presentations, the event report is available to download here. The next TNG event will be held in Wales towards the end of the year so watch this space for more information!
Thematic Networking events - Fourth Event
November 2009, Birmingham
On 25 November 2009 ECOTEC held the fourth event of the Thematic Networking Groups which aimed to conclude the set up phase of the thematic work. The event provided the opportunity to reflect on the key recommendations that have already emerged from the groups and discussing the future phase of thematic work which will focus on identifying specific outcomes for each group which enable policy makers to benefit from the lessons learned through the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal programmes.- The event was opened by Kursat Levent Egriboz, Director of Lifelong Learning Programme, who gave an update of progress and initial outcomes of thematic networking. Download presentation
- Professor Tom Schuller, Director of the inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning presented the key recommendations of the influential and high profile report Learning through Life. Download presentation
After a networking lunch, the four thematic groups broke into separate workshops to identify the key messages emerging from the theme, plan for the future meetings, and hold discussions on the groups chosen policy topic or theme.
Here are a few images from the day:
Thematic Networking events - Third Event
May 2009, Birmingham
On 14 May 2009, ECOTEC held the third event of the National Thematic Groups.
There were presentations from three guest speakers Nigel Smith, (Department for Innovation Universities and Skills) who shared information about FE workforce reforms, George Anderson (Joint International Unit, DIUS/DSCF/DWP) who presented information about EU education and skills and Alastair Thomson (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) who gave delegates a master class on how projects can publicise their results and get their message heard by policymakers.
Thematic Networking event, October 2008
On 27 October 2008, ECOTEC held the second event of the National Thematic Networking Groups covering four different themes.
The guest speaker was Jane Ward, a Senior Development Officer at NIACE. Jane presented on adult participation in learning opportunities in the plenary session.
The four thematic groups broke into separate workshops to discuss and listen to themed specific guest speakers.
Thematic Networking launch event, April 2008
The Thematic Networking launch event took place on 8 April 2008 at the Congress Centre in London and was a great success. Over 70 different stakeholders, practitioners and policy makers participated in the event and attended our workshops.
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"This was my first Thematic Networking Group meeting and I was impressed by the wide range of expertise the event was able to gather together under the very well-organised auspices of ECOTEC. The TNGs are an important forum for practitioners and policy-makers to exchange ideas and best practice in order to develop and improve the Lifelong Learning Programme. The Edinburgh event was a great example of putting these aims into practice.”
Jonathan Piggins,
Contract Manager, International Education Organisations and
EU Programmes, DfE, BIS, DWP, Joint International Unit.
