Social Inclusion using the formats of educational work with adults should be Inclusion understood as a task for society as a whole, which is essential for the cohesion of a society. . Immigration and flight make plural societies even more diverse. People with different cultural backgrounds and different ideological-religious homeland live side by side. A part of the population perceives the social diversity as stressful and “strangers” as a threat and acts against it. Overall, European cohesion threatens to break completely due to uncertainties felt by large sections of society. In times of growing internal social polarization, exclusion of people, increasing religious-cultural intolerance and isolation, successive crises and their effects, undertakings to strengthen social cohesion are essential. The target group of formal and non-formal educational work is not exclusively, but essentially young adults. The project approach therefore focuses on educational formats that are effective across generations. Problems for modern society are current: erosion of milieus, growing heterogeneity, no longer a common religion; different ideas about what constitutes a "good life" ("values"); multilocal communities; Homogeneity claims lead to exclusion and weaken cohesion. Right-wing populism is becoming increasingly sustainable in all European countries. Educational institutions and initiatives are called upon to face the situation of increasing diversity in society and the associated challenges. Social inclusion is a concern that is pressing for societies and strengthens democracy. Populist parties and movements polarize and divide a society and thus endanger social cohesion. This is where the project comes in and would like to contribute to building bridges of understanding and encounter. In the context of uncertainty and concern, even fear of social change, felt by large parts of European society, the question of educational formats that help to promote cohesion demands the whole of European society. The formation of values in the form of informal and formal, cross-generational adult education with a focus on social inclusion is of great importance. Sixteen women and men from adult education and social education work will continuously participate in the partnership. These come from six countries and represent seven organizations. The project is carried out according to methods of project management according to DIN 69901. One focus of the project meetings will also be the participant observation. Adult education methods are also used at partner meetings. The aim of these meetings is to learn how to tackle the issue of cohesion in other contexts and how to create values in this specific context to promote cohesion. The goals include the implementation of the knowledge gained in one's own context. Overall, external specialists and people from potential target groups are involved at every meeting. There will be specific scientific and / or socio-political inputs from speakers from the respective host country in order to ensure practical experience through their expertise. At the higher organizational level, the results are presented and the consequences are considered. The documentation and evaluation that accompanies the project ensures that the results are continuously secured during the course of the project. The project management procedure according to DIN 69901 guarantees that the objectives are achieved and checked. The relationships that have been tried and tested in the partnership will continue even after the project has ended. Instead of the transnational meetings there will be an email exchange and a speaker - exchange for further training is one of the project results. The partners will involve other multipliers and those responsible at the meetings. The experiences and results of visits to good practice examples will be incorporated into the educational measures of the respective organizations. The partners will feed their experiences into their networks. Dissemination also takes place via social media and websites. EPALE, as a European multiplication platform, is used, just like local, national and European media are involved.
The aim of the project was to strengthen and promote social cohesion in Europe through adult education in the face of the challenges posed by migration and flight, as well as crises such as the Covid 19 pandemic. Young target groups in particular were targeted. New methodological and didactic insights were to be gained through European exchange. To this end, good practice projects in the participating European countries were visited. Scientific impulses came from the inclusion of teachers at universities in the learning process. Formats of social and educational work aim to support youths and young adults in tackling challenges such as migration, economic difficulties, intolerance and isolation. Innovative methods learned should help to develop offers that strengthen social cohesion in Europe despite these challenges. To this end, intergenerational initiatives and encounters were also integrated into the learning process. The transnational exchange between European partners should help to integrate innovative ideas and methods into the respective practice.
European cohesion is in a difficult situation due to the various crises currently affecting the world. In order to strengthen social cohesion, new ways of understanding and encounter must be found. It is up to the politicians to define suitable framework conditions. Equally, however, educational institutions must also play their part. European cohesion requires the development of a solidary and inclusive society. It is important that educational institutions and initiatives take up these challenges and contribute to building bridges of understanding and encounter. Value education in the form of formal and non-formal intergenerational adult education, with a focus on the social inclusion of young people, is an essential element By involving adult education in the process, people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures can come together and get to know each other. This enables a better understanding of the respective culture and the values behind it. In order to gain new insights for corresponding social and educational offers, learning takes place in European partnership.