“Promoting social inclusion of women, aged over 50, low-qualified, unemployed, and developing educators’ profile through education by art (MOVE-ON!)" is a strategic partnership of five adult education organizations from Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal, which intends to change the way how adults learn, educators teach and learning in terms of transformation occurs. This project aims to support directly, 60 women, aged over 50, become effective 21st century adult learners, and 20 educators, turn into devoted advocates of innovative artistic practices. Indirectly and through the dissemination activities, it is expected a much broader impact (local, national and European). In order to achieve the goals within the project period from September 2018 to August 2020, 4 focus areas will be developed in 2 complementary learning, teaching and training activities to reach key competences in women and in educators in close transnational cooperation: "I individual"- Communication, "I social" - Active Citizenship, "I cultural" - Heritage and Traditions and "I professional" - Entrepreneurship. In short, and for women and educators, in the first LTTA, the challenge is to achieve the "self-awareness - who am I" (the identification level). In the second LTTA, the challenge is "moving on - who can I be "(the intervention level). The rationale behind the partnership lies in the understanding that adult education promotes changes in people’s lives and transform societies - it is a human right and common good (Manifesto for Adult Learning in 21st Century, European Association for the Education of Adults, 2015). However, adults with the biggest needs in education and qualification, have less opportunities to benefit from lifelong learning as referred in “Adult Education and Training in Europe: Wide Access to Learning Opportunities” (European Commission, EACEA, Eurydice, 2015). Moreover, these adults, with low academic and low professional qualifications, show difficulties and resistance in being part of that lifelong learning system, becoming self-excluded from the possibility of empowering themselves. The situation is even more difficult for women for whom employment and participation rates are still lower than those of men in almost all EU countries (Gender Equality in the EU: Priorities for EU Strategy, 2015). Therefore, adult lifelong learning is one of the major challenges in EU, vital for the European economic and social sustainability, giving citizens the possibility to improve their lives and to be competitive in labour market. This is the essential dimension strategically presented in “Europe 2020 – a European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth” (European Commission, 2010). Considering this, the methodology to be used in carrying out the project is Education by Art to develop key competences in women, combating discrimination and gender inequality, valuing and reinforcing inclusion, diversity and equality, fostering socio-educational and professional development. Also, to enhance educators’ competences through an effective implementation of these artistic expressions in their daily professional routines (Read, 1943; Robinson, 1982). The objectives of the project are: 1. To promote social inclusion through the developing of new skills and competences in women aged over 50, using for that innovative and integrated approaches, which will encourage changes of mentality and will trigger an effective active citizenship in society including new opportunities in labour market. 2. To support educators reinforcing the development of innovative teaching competences through education by art and an intensive transnational collaboration and cooperation within the project period. MOVE-ON! will have multifaceted impact on all levels. By applying their newly acquired key competences women will considerably improve their learning outcomes and minimize their risk of social exclusion. Educators, on the other hand, will be able to support their learners with ease and confidence as they will have adopted a wide range of innovative, creative sustained pedagogies. The partner organizations will benefit from the partnership because it will change the way how adult learners conceptualize learning, how educators feel about teaching, and how innovative learning environments are created. Locally, this partnership will help the partner organizations become centres of modern education and training. Regionally, the organizations will be able to act as role models to other institutions. Nationally, the partner organizations will have an opportunity to influence the modernization of educational and training systems in their home countries. Europe-wide, this partnership will promote such values as social inclusion, democracy, equality, solidarity, respect for other cultures and self-fulfilment, all these leading to more unity between European citizens.
The main focus of our project lay on responsible use of education by art to develop key competences in women, combating discrimination and gender inequality, valuing and reinforcing inclusion, diversity and equality, fostering socio-educational and professional development. Also, to enhance educators’ competences through an effective implementation of these artistic expressions in their daily professional routines. We applied the model of knowledge construction, real-world problem solving, self-regulation and skilled communication. Not only did we engage in interdisciplinary workshops to explore familiar things in new context, but also worked on innovation in familiar context. In parallel, we focused on trainer and learner autonomy, attention and effort, upgrade feedback and measurable outcomes. This project celebrate a creative collaboration between CFPIMM, a non-profit public body oriented for vocational training for youngsters and adults from Portugal, an association promoting a Senior Mentor Program team at schools from Hungary, an Education Adult Centre from Lithuania, Kuressaare Gymnasium´s education and training center Osilia, from Estonia, and International College, from Poland, responsible for running language courses and learning programs for mature adults (50+). During a two-year project period, we held two learning, teaching and training activities. 25-29 March 2019, 20 learners and 8 educators gathered for LTTA 1 in Lordelo, Portugal, to develop the following competences, in women: communication, commitment, interpersonal relationship, team work, creativity, decision-making, basic health and food care and in educators: communication, adaptability, versatility, flexibility to work with differentiated pedagogy and innovative methodologies. 10-14 February 2020, 20 learners and 8 educators gathered for LTTA 2 in Gdańsk, Poland, to develop, both in women and educators: autonomy, critical thinking, responsibility, assertiveness, problem solving, entrepreneurship, creative potential and sense of humor. For the project management purposes, we had two transnational project meetings. 24-25 October 2018, 10 educators met for the kick-off meeting in Panevezys, Lithuania, to discuss the project activities in close and sign the partnership agreement. 6-7 September 2019, 10 teachers met for the second transnational project meeting in Kuressaare, Estonia, to reflect on the activities already carry out; report on the results achieved and to plan the LTTA yet to come. Is was planned for July 2020, the third transnational project meeting to finalize the project, evaluate its general and specific outcomes, discuss further dissemination activities and prepare the final report, but unfortunately due to the pandemic crises was not possible to do it. The extension of the project was asked in June 2020 and we had the approval for more 3 months to finish the project, till 30th November. The final meeting was planned for October 2020, but, unfortunately, the pandemic situation got worse and it was not possible to finish the project as planned. The project website http://moveonproject.eu/ was constructed and developed as a dissemination tool and a repository for learner and educator outputs, but we also used as a platform for learning. The pages published so far feature ample evidence of project outcomes and outputs via transnational and local activities. Also, the photos, videos and posts on social media help to disseminate the impact this project had on the participants. The project most important results “Creative Book” can be accessed via the project website. More than 50 pages show a dynamic story telling written by multiple hands in different countries. This Book is the most important output of our partnership as summarizes the best of education by art. The learners of this partnership have learned to appreciate education by art as well as intercultural communication skills. Also, they have grown more flexible, adaptable, self-motivated and responsible. The educators have developed their professional skills, broadened their intercultural experience and enjoyed variation everyday classroom practice. The partners enjoy better educator-learner relationships, more ICT used in teaching and learning, as well as stronger pan-European perception in their curricula. Local authorities highly appreciate this project for helping woman aged over 50 become more active citizens. Regionally and nationally, the partner organizations inspire others to set up transnational partnerships that relish intensive intercultural interaction. Europe-wide, our partnership promotes democracy, human rights and respect.