Evropské regionální setkání OMEP konané v Šanghaji dne 9. a 10.7.2013 (anglicky)

European Regional Meeting

2013 World Assembly - Shanghai, China – 9 & 10 July 2013

Present at the meeting:

Satu Jarvenkallass (Finland); Daniele Perruchon & Lίsbeth Gouin (France); Ewa Hammes (Germany); Nektarios Stellakis (Greece); Patricia O’Connor & Caoimhe Mahony (Ireland); Ruta Kanepeja (Latvia); Εlin Eriksen Odegaard & Geir Aaserud (Norway);           Anna Wrobel, Ewa Lewadowska & Dorota Pakuka-Tamou (Poland); Antonio Ponces de Carvalho (Portugal); Natalya Ryzhova (Russia); Ingrid Engdahl, Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, Emelie Stavholm, Bibi Karlsson, Ulla Gustavsson, Eva Ahlin, Eva Arlemalm-Hagser, Elisabet Doverborg (Sweden); Gelengul Haktanir (Turkey); Janet Morris, Dorothy Selleck & Elizabeth Rosenthal (UK)

Also in Shanghai: Katarina Koledova (Slovakia); Ulla Grob-Menges (Switzerland)

Minutes: Taken by Dorothy Selleck, Honorary Member

Even though we had just 90’ the European Regional Meeting was very fruitful. A lot of topics were mentioned. The most important were:

• How could we define and assess quality in ECEC?
• The financial situation sets a lot of challenges for our Organization
• Participation in OMEP Projects and Collaboration with less prosperous countries

Decisions:

• Every European country should establish a strong partnership with a less prosperous country in Africa or elsewhere. 
• Each European OMEP country should respond to the initiatives for the inclusion of ECEC to Post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Nektarios welcomed all delegates (13 countries plus 3 proxies). The World President welcomed all delegates and thanked them for making the long journey to China.

A word from the UNESCO Representative from Paris

Received minutes of previous meeting (Zagreb, 8^th May 2013)

Sharing information by each representative present

Emphasis across Europe has been on ESD despite the financial crisis across the world

Report of the Regional VP

Need to encourage countries not still in OMEP to join through proper partnerships. It was agreed that greater efforts need to be made to persuade the non OMEP countries to participate through projects etc. Italy was involved, now Denmark is sadly not participating, but Bosnia and Serbia are in contact.

At present some European countries are supporting projects in other less prosperous countries (eg. UK and Kenya on the WASH project, Poland and Nepal). Sweden is striving to extend the ESD project to other countries through enthusiastic, positive support of good practice with effective use of technology (eg. Power points, CD, DVD, skype meetings).  Every European country should establish a strong partnership with a less prosperous country in Africa or elsewhere. 

Still there are millions of children out of school with high levels of children in poverty across Europe.

A discussion followed on how we define “quality” in ECEC. Need more discussion on that issue in order to come to a conclusion. Due to time restriction this discussion was postponed.

Several countries’ governments stipulate early years class sizes to 25 pupils. There is a lot of concern about that, even though the actual quality depends on the way adults interact with children, how do they co-operate, what do they learn, and if they have fun. These points are crucial in each learning situation.

In addition, consideration is given to group sizes, staff qualification and the influence of in-service education. A big factor is the attitude, ambitions of parents and social political expectations.

It is most important that the early years education curriculum is based on PLAY, communication, effective interaction and not focusing mainly on learning.

OMEP Europe does much on quality through ensuring “children rights from birth”. Geneva’s links to OMEP are a vital part of OMEP’s work.

From “Peace education” to ESD: integrating social, economic, environmental factors

Each OMEP European country has guidance on standards to be attained through early childhood education. We all need quality and equity, but financial costs vary. Many European countries are now suffering from financial restrictions. Big gaps between the haves and have nots children.

Each European OMEP country should respond to the initiatives for the inclusion of ECEC to Post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Website of OMEP Europe is now available. It is hoped that it will be much used.

Newsletters are vital in keeping regular links with OMEP members. Translation costs a lot and support is needed.

Need its country to develop quality goals, which should be implemented and assessed.

Current stage of the World Project on ESD and the European Project “What is Europe?”.  Countries are encouraged to participate.

Proposal for the next European Regional Meeting and Conference.

2014: World Assembly and Conference in Cork, Ireland. There will not be Regional Meeting in spring.

2015: Russia or Spain – to be defined. Russian President, Larisa Paramonova, has expressed its willingness to organize the ERM&C in spring 2015 in Russia.

Further discussion centered on quality in ECEC – Ensuring the best start for all children. Each European OMEP country should react carefully to current national policies on ECEC striving to give each child a FAIR CHANCE.

Too many in Europe’s young, poor children need much help in health, eating, and suitable learning opportunities and to enjoy their childhood.

We must all strive to give all children fair opportunities.

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