CONNECTOR 2.0

Important notice! 1) The deadline to apply for candidates from Participating Countries (countries with Erasmus+NA has been extended with one week (27th of May). For the Partner Countries applicants, due to visa issues, the deadline remains the same: 20th of May 2) There were published this year methods. They are available at http://www.erasmusplus.ro/evenimente-det/vrs/IDev/298 3) If you want to have a one minute glimpse in what happened during the last year edition, give it a try with this short movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw09WETmMmA What? A learning event putting together youth workers, adult educators, school or vocational teachers, trainers and all type of learning facilitator that will work and learn together in interactive workshops and performances. Learning happens! Everywhere. In the classroom, in the university but also in the middle of the community (be it on the street, in museums, pubs or park). CONNECTOR is about showing how to do it and how to actively involving all the members of the community in a participatory manner. Thus, the participants will have the chance to learn not only from each other and the facilitators, but together with the community members as well. Who and how to participate? Anyone and everyone interested in active learning: practitioners, trainers, facilitators, teachers, educators, support staff, representatives coming from adult education, formal education (school or university) or vocational training. 200 participants + 30 learning facilitators funded by the organizers through Erasmus+ programme. Application for the participants is done under this open call. The Romania National Agency for Eramus+, as host organization, will cover for those that are approved the food, accommodation and logistical costs. In some cases (for participants coming from Neighouring countries) could cover the transport costs as well. Please check the costs section (in the right side of the screen) fro more details Aiming to connect as many learning fans as possible, the event will be open to all those interested relevant persons, willing to self-fund or who can cover its costs from various sources. Those willing to be part of the event, please fill in the form available here. Last year we managed to put together 300 people from 30 countries. Can we do better in 2015? Around half were supported directly, the other half came via various projects, supported by their organization or self-funded. Participants are expected to be: - actively involved in their organization - motivated and open to experiment highly interactive learning methods and tools as well as to share them through performances in the Cluj-Napoca community in the last tow days of the event - engaged throughout entire period of the event - able to put in practice and share the experience and methods acquired in their local community on their return. Learning facilitators Are those interested to deliver trainings / workshop sessions in the first two days of the event and prepare together with the participants a performance for the last two days. Please do mind that facilitators need to subscribe separately on this link: http://www.erasmusplus.ro/evenimente-det/vrs/IDev/155 The costs for travel, meals and accommodation for the facilitators will be covered by the Erasmus+ National Agency in Romania. (30 places available for youth, education and training sectors). Please do mind that this is valid for the facilitators only, for participants check the costs section to see how they can be covered. Why? Learning by doing and focusing on the participants’ needs and experience are key elements to personal and professional development. With these in mind, the main objectives of the event are: - to promote nonformal learning in Europe and Romania - to create connections between nonformal learning, formal education and vocational training - to develop a space for identifying the common needs and challenges of all the stakeholders involved - to develop solutions for the identified problems, challenges through projects and network activities - to create a collaborative space for sharing methods, instruments, practices and efficient ideas for learning This edition aims to carry on the legacy started in last year, aiming to make CONNECTOR a European reference point regarding effective and nonformal learning in the following years. How? The event is based on sharing, learning and experimenting with thematic days. Day 1 – Incubator+ (sharing) After a brief official opening we will get down to work. The day will be dedicated to the exchange of ideas, practices and experiences among participants aiming to identify network activities and projects that can be developed collaboratively. Incubator+ will use an "unconference" methodology inspired by Open Space Technology. As fruit for thoughts, in the opening we will start with several inspirational speeches related to educational topic that matter. Days 2 & 3– Lab+ (learning) We learn all life long. We use in the process our brains, but we should not forget about our heart as well. Learning effectively is helped by engaging method activating dealing both with our thoughts as well as our feelings approaching knowledge, skills as well as attitudes. Learning methods and tools (such as forum theater or improvisation theater, storytelling, graphic facilitation, street animation, drumming etc.) will be shared by experienced facilitators in parallel workshops and training courses (one workshop per participant). Selected participants will be able to choose among the methods/tools before CONNECTOR starts. Examples of such activities can be found in the playlist available at http://www.nonformalii.ro/resurse/video/laborator-nonformal-2013-playlist (English subtitles) Days 4 &5– Lab++ (experimenting) Participants will put in practice the methods they experienced during days 2&3 in the local community through shows, performances or other type of interactive activities. In this regard we will cooperate with a local festival: Jazz in the Park. Willing to connect as many nonformal passionates as possible, the event will be open to all those interested relevant persons, self-funded or who can cover its costs from various sources. Where? The event takes place in a city with a vibrant cultural and social life, Cluj-Napoca, the 2015 European Youth Capital. This event is funded by European Commission through the Erasmus+ Programme.