NEWSLETTER OMEP Europe Autumn 2010 Content From the OMEP Vice President for Europe 2 Dear colleagues and friends 2 Chers amis et collègues 3 Estimados colegas, queridos amigos 5 Congress Statement 6 OMEP Europe has two new honorary members 9 Impressions from OMEP World Assembly 2010 10 Reflection on OMEP World Assembly 2010 11 Minutes of the OMEP Regional Meeting 13 On the OMEP European Conference 17 Invitation to European Regional Meeting and Conference to Nicosia, Cyprus 19 OMEP World Project on Education for Sustainable Development – Project continues 20 International Plastic Competition „Meeting with Chopin‟ 23
Transcript
NEWSLETTER OMEP Europe Autumn 2010
Content
From the OMEP Vice President for Europe 2
Dear colleagues and friends 2
Chers amis et collègues 3
Estimados colegas, queridos amigos 5
Congress Statement 6
OMEP Europe has two new honorary members 9
Impressions from OMEP World Assembly 2010 10
Reflection on OMEP World Assembly 2010 11
Minutes of the OMEP Regional Meeting 13
On the OMEP European Conference 17
Invitation to European Regional Meeting and
Conference to Nicosia, Cyprus 19
OMEP World Project on Education for
Sustainable Development – Project continues 20
International Plastic Competition „Meeting with Chopin‟ 23
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From the OMEP Vice President for Europe
Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends,
As I promised in the previous letter I sent to you after the World Assembly and OMEP Congress in Gothenburg this year in August, we are bringing you the 2010 Autumn Issue of the Newsletter for Europe.
It contains primarily flashbacks of this important event but also information on what is happening in near future.
I cannot but repeat that both the programme of the World Assembly and the outputs of the conference called Children – Citizens in a Challenging World were received by the participants with enthusiasm. I believe I can express warm thanks to the organizers on behalf of all of us who have attended these events. The organizers must have been really busy because the number of participants was enormously high this time: the World Assembly was attended by representatives of 44 OMEP member countries, 19 out of which were from Europe, and the conference was attended by over 700 participants from 75 countries all over the world. The conference concluded by adopting the World declaration about the right and the joy to learn through play. We are bringing its full text in three official OMEP languages in this Newsletter.
As you all know, acknowledging and honouring the work of long-term OMEP members by awarding them honorary membership has been an important OMEP tradition. The European colleagues awarded honorary memberships this year are Kerstin Ruth Amelie BÄCKSTRÖM from Sweden and Dorothy SELLECK from the United Kingdom. Congratulations! You can find their short CVs in this Newsletter. I would like to thank both ladies for all they have done in their lives to benefit young children.
Another valuable tradition is that of many colleagues sharing their impressions and experience from important OMEP events. The reflection of the World Assembly we are bringing this time is by Nektarios Stellakis, who represented Greece, and Michaela Pavlasova from the Czech Republic, who attended the WA with the status of observant. Their contributions are another part of the present issue.
The World Assembly programme always includes some time for regional meetings to be held. We, representatives of Europe, have naturally taken this opportunity and discussed issues important to us. The minutes of the meeting are included in this Newsletter issue as usual.
You will certainly remember that the European meeting which was to be held in Chester in April this year had to be cancelled due to air transportation problems. Our British colleagues however did not cancel their specialized conference which seems to have been extremely interesting. It is reported by Janet Morris, President of OMEP UK, in her contribution to this Newsletter issue.
It is great that our next European assembly is getting a clear shape too. It is thanks to the official invitation by the Cyprus OMEP Committee, which has just received a full
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OMEP membership at the WA in Gotenburg. We have been invited to come to Nicosia and hold our European Assembly and OMEP conference called Perspectives on Creativity and Learning in Early Childhood there from 6 to 8 May 2011. This Newsletter issue brings only a short announcement and call for papers but more details can be found at www.omep.com.cy/euroconference2011.
OMEP World Project on Education for Sustainable Development will carry on. The project continuation has been approved by the WA in Gothenburg thanks to the very positive evaluation of the project‟s first phase. If you want to learn about the outputs of the first phase, consult the congress website (http://www.omep2010.org); wishing to join the second phase of the project, please read the relevant information in the present Newsletter issue.
And last but not least, if you want to participate in the artistic competition organized by the Polish OMEP committee to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Fryderyk Chopin‟s birth, the issue has another section for you to read.
This issue is full of reflections of our recent activities as well as of information on activities to take place soon. I feel there was a lot which had to be squeezed in – which is, of course, something to celebrate!
I am looking forward to meeting you in person in spring 2011. Before that, I hope I will be able to enjoy your comments, proposals and reports you will choose to share with other OMEP Europe members.
Milada Rabušicová OMEP Vice-President for Europe
Chers amis et collègues, Comme je vous ai promis dans ma dernière lettre que je vous ai envoyée quelques jours après la fin de l´Assemblée mondiale et le Congrès de l´OMEP qui avaient eu lieu à Göteborg en août, cette année, nous avons le plaisir de vous présenter l´édition d´automne 2010 du Newsletter pour la région européenne.
L´information principale de ce numéro est la réflexion de ces événements importants, de même que l´avis des activités qui seront organisées au futur proche.
On peut constater que les participants ont beaucoup apprécié le déroulement de l´Assemblée mondiale et aussi les résultats du Congrès intitulé Enfants – Citoyens dans le monde de défis. Je pense qu´au nom de tout le monde qui a participé à ces événements, je peux exprimer mes remerciements aux organisateurs. Ils ont fait un travail incroyable parce que cette fois-ci il y avait un grand numéro de participants: à l´Assemblée mondiale 44 pays membres de l´OMEP, 19 d´entre eux étaient des pays européens. Plus de 700 participants de 75 pays du monde entier ont assisté au Congrès où l´on a adopté La Déclaration Mondiale du droit et joie d´apprendre en jouant. Sa version complète dans trois langues officielles de l´OMEP, c´est le point numéro 1 de cette édition du Newsletter.
Il est bien connu que notre organisation conserve une importante tradition d´exprimer ses remerciements du travail réalisé par les membres émérites de l´OMEP et leur offre le titre membre honoraire. Cette année c´étaient parmi les pays européens Kerstin Ruth Amelie BÄCKSTRÖM, Suède et Dorothy SELLECK du Royaume Uni. Vous pouvez voir leurs portraits dans ce numéro du Newsletter. J´aimerais bien leur
présenter mes meilleurs voeux et mes remerciements pour tout ce qu´ elles avaient fait pour les petits enfants au cours de toute la vie.
Quelques uns de nos collègues ont pris l´habitude de partager leurs impressions gagnées pendant les événements importants de l´OMEP. Cette fois-ci c´est Nektarios Stellakis qui nous a envoyé ses impressions de l´Assemblée mondiale où il a représenté Grèce et Michaela Pavlasova, République Tchèque, qui nous a envoyé ses réflexions de l´Assemblée mondiale à laquelle elle a assisté comme observateur. Vous pouvez trouver également leurs contributions dans ce numéro.
Au cours de l´Assemblée mondiale on prête toujours quelque temps à réaliser les réunions régionales. Nous, représentants de la région européenne, on a profité de cette opportunité pour travailler des questions importantes pour nous. Le rapport de cette réunion se trouve aussi dans cette édition du Newsletter.
Il est bien possible que vous vous souveniez de la dernière réunion européenne qui devait se dérouler en avril 2010 à Chester. À cause des problèmes du transport aérien, on a annulé cette réunion. Néanmoins, nos collègues britanniques n´ont pas annulé leur congrès professionnel qui, sans doute, a été très intéressant. Dans le Newsletter, on trouvera le rapport de cette réunion, écrit par Janet Morris, présidente de l´OMEP britannique.
Il est très bien que notre future rencontre ait déjà sa forme. C´est parce que nous avons obtenu l´invitation officielle du Comité de Chypre qui à Göteborg est devenu membre permanent de l´OMEP. On a donc l´invitation à Nicosia du 6 au 8 mai 2011 pour la réunion européenne et le Congrès de l´OMEP intitulé Perspectives de Créativité et Apprentissage dans la petite enfance. Dans ce numéro du Newsletter vous n´allez
trouver qu´un petit avertissement, l´information détaillée se trouve sur le site suivant: www.omep.com.cy/euroconference2011
Le projet mondiale de l´OMEP l´Éducation Préscolaire pour le Développement Tenable va continuer à exister au future. Comme la première étape du projet a été très réussie, on a voté au cours de l´Assemblée mondiale à Göteborg pour la suite de ce projet. Si vous voulez voir les résultats de la première étape, veuillez regarder le site du congrès (http://www.omep2010.org/), si vous désirez vous joindre à la deuxième étape de ce projet, lisez s´il vous plait l´information qui se trouve dans ce numéro du Newsletter. Et finalement, si vous êtes intéressés à vous intégrer au concours artistique, organisé par le Comité polonais à l´occasion de l´anniversaire de Fryderyk Chopin, veuillez lire également les informations sur ce concours.
Dans cette édition du Newsletter il y a de nombreuses réfléxions de nos activités récentes de même qu´un tas d´informations sur les activités qui auront lieu au futur proche. Il paraît que cette fois-ci il y a beaucoup d´informations qui ont dû entrer dans ce numéro. À mon avis, c´est la meilleure nouvelle.
Je me réjouis à l´avance de cette rencontre personnelle avec vous au printemps 2011.
Pendant ce temps, je vous serai bien obligée de vos commentaires, suggestions et informations qu´on puisse partager parmi tous les membres de la région européenne.
Milada Rabušicová Vice-président de l´OMEP pour l´Europe
Como les he prometido en mi última carta que les mandé unos días después de terminar la Asamblea mundial y el Congreso de la OMEP, celebrados en Gotemburgo en agosto de este año, tenemos el placer de publicar la edición de Otoño de 2010 del Newsletter para la Región europea.
La información principal de este número es la reflexión de los acontecimiento tan importantes como son la Asamblea mundial y el Congreso de la OMEP, al igual que el aviso de las actividades que nos esperan en un futuro cercano.
Sólo puedo constatar que los participantes apreciaron mucho tanto el transcurso de la Asamblea mundial como los resultados del Congreso con el título Niños – Ciudadanos en un mundo de retos. Creo que en nombre de todos los que hemos participado en estos eventos les puedo expresar mis agradecimientos a los organizadores. Han hecho una increíble labor porque esta vez hubo un gran número de participantes: en la Asamblea mundial participaron representantes de 44 países miembro de la OMEP, entre ellos 19 de los países europeos. Al Congreso asistieron más de 700 participantes de 75 países del mundo entero. Al terminar el Congreso se adoptó La Declaración Mundial de la alegría y derecho a aprender jugando. Su versión completa en tres lenguas oficiales de la OMEP es el punto número 1 de esta edición del Newsletter.
Es bien sabido que nuestra organización sigue manteniendo una importante tradición expresando su agradecimento por el trababajo que realizaron los miembros beneméritos de la OMEP ofreciéndoles el título de miembro honorario. Este año lo han obtenido
entre los países europeos Kerstin Ruth Amelie BÄCKSTRÖM, Suecia y Dorothy SELLECK del Reino Unido. Sus retratos están incluidos en esta edición del Newsletter. Quisiera expresarles a las dos mi cordial enhorabuena y agradecimentos por todo lo que han hecho por el bien de los niños pequeños durante toda su vida.
Entre algunos colegas nuestros se ha introducido la costumbre de compartir sus impresiones adquiridas durante importantes acontecimentos de la OMEP. Esta vez es Nektarios Stellakis quien ha enviado sus impresiones de la Asamblea Mundial donde representó Grecia y Michaela Pavlasova, República Checa, que nos ha mandado sus reflexiones de la Asamblea Mundial en la que participó en calidad de observante. Sus contribuciones las van a encontrar también en esta edición.
En el transcurso de la Asamblea Mundial siempre se presta algún espacio para celebrar las reuniones regionales. Los represantes de la región europea hemos aprovechado esta oportunidad para trabajar cuestiones que son de importancia para nosotros. El informe de esta reunión también está en este número del Newsletter.
Es muy posible que recuerden la última reunión europea que se pensaba celebrar en abril de 2010 en Chester. Debido a los problemas del transporte aéreo, esta reunión se canceló. Sin embargo, nuestros colegas británicos no cancelaron su congreso profesional que, sin duda alguna, ha sido de mucho interés. En el Newsletter tenemos una noticia de este acontecimiento escrita por Janet Morris, presidenta de la OMEP británica.
Está muy bien que nuestro próximo encuentro europeo ya tenga su claro perfil. Y es porque hemos obtenido la invitación oficial del Comité de Chipre que en Gotemburgo se convirtió en miembro regular de la OMEP. Así que estamos invitados a Nicosia
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entre el 6 y el 8 de mayo de 2011 para celebrar la Reunión Europea con el título Perspectivas de Creatividad y Aprendizaje en la primera infancia. En este número del Newsletter encontrarán sólo un breve anuncio, la información detallada está en la dirección siguiente: www.omep.com.cy/euroconference2011
El Proyecto mundial de la OMEP Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible seguirá existiendo también en el futuro. Como la primera etapa del proyecto ha sido muy lograda, en la Asamblea Mundial votamos por su continuación. Si les apetece ver los resultados de la primera etapa, entren en las páginas del Congreso (http://www.omep2010.org/), si quieren apuntarse en su segunda etapa, tengan la bondad de leer la información relacionada con el proyecto en este número del Newsletter. Si tienen interés en participar en un concurso artístico, que con motivo del aniversario de Fryderyk Chopin ha convocado el Comité polaco de la OMEP, no tarden en leer la información sobre este concurso.
En esta edición del Newsletter hay mucha reflexión sobre los acontecimentos recientes e información sobre las actividades que se van a celebrar en un futuro cercano. Me parece que ha habido que caber muchísima información en este número y, en mi opinión, es la mejor noticia.
Disfruto pensando en nuestro encuentro personal en primavera de 2011.
Mientras tanto les agradecería cualquier tipo de comentario, sugerencia e información que los demás miembros de la región europea podamos compartir.
Milada Rabušicová Vicepresidenta de la OMEP para Europa
C ongress Statement
World declaration about the right and the joy to learn through play
(OMEP 2010)
During the OMEP World Assembly and Congress in Göteborg, Sweden in August 2010, all delegates representing seventy-two countries and five continents, agree that we must defend the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially the right of children to play as well as ensuring their wellbeing in all countries and in educational programs.
Today, because of political and financial problems, most governments are overemphasizing the swift development of literacy and numeracy skills for our children when they start school. This results in dramatically restricting the holistic approach to early childhood education.
This situation is destroying the basis and the sense of early childhood education. This results in the loss of crucial values, creativity, imagination, open mindedness, expressive arts, thus deeply affecting the right and the joy to learn through play.
We now know that the UN Millennium development goals on reducing poverty and giving all children the right to education will not be met. Thus, the OMEP World
Congress and Assembly implore all governments at local and national levels to reorient their plans and allocate resources so that the goals will be met.
Young children are willing and capable to be agents of change. Adults should listen to children and be aware of their perspectives and ideas in matters that relate directly to them: „We know stuff too!‟ (six year old child)
Déclaration mondiale concernant le droit des enfants à apprendre au travers de la joie du jeu (OMEP 2010)
Durant l‟assemblée mondiale de l‟OMEP et du congrès de Göteborg au août 2010, les représentants de septante-deux pays et cinq continents, déclarent : nous devons absolument défendre la mise en œuvre de la convention des droits de l‟enfant, plus particulièrement par rapport au droit de l‟enfant à jouer, et de notre devoir d‟assurer leur bien-être dans tous les pays et leurs programmes éducatifs.
Aujourd‟hui, du fait de problèmes politiques et financiers, la plupart des gouvernements surinvestissent le développement précoce des apprentissages du langage écrit et du calcul pour nos enfants dès l‟entrée au pré élémentaire. Ceci a pour résultats une restriction dramatique de l‟approche holistique propre à l‟éducation initiale.
Cette situation détruit la base et le sens de l‟éducation du jeune enfant. Elle va de pair avec une perte de valeurs cruciales, de la stimulation de la créativité, de l‟imagination, de l‟ouverture d‟esprit, de l‟expression artistique, et affectent gravement le droit et la joie des enfants à apprendre au travers du jeu.
Nous savons maintenant que les buts du Millenium de l‟ONU concernant la réduction de la pauvreté et l‟accès pour tous les enfants à l‟éducation ne seront pas atteints dans les délais. De ce fait, tant les participants au congrès que les délégués à l‟assemblée mondiale de l‟OMEP implorent tous les gouvernements au niveau local et national de réorienter leurs plans d‟action, et d‟allouer les crédits nécessaires pour que les buts du millenium soient atteints.
Les jeunes enfants veulent et peuvent être des agents de changement. Les adultes se doivent de les écouter et prendre en compte leurs idées et perspectives dans les domaines qui les concernent : « We know stuff too ! » (« Nous aussi, on sait ! », énoncé d‟un enfant de six ans).
Declaración mundial del derecho y de la alegría de los niños y niñas a aprender a través del juego. (OMEP 2010 )
La Asamblea y el Congreso mundial de OMEP en Gotenburgo, Suecia, en agosto del 2010, representando a setenta y dos países de los cinco continentes, acordamos que debemos defender la Declaración de los Derechos del Niño de las Naciones Unidas, especialmente el derecho de los niños y niñas al juego, como asimismo garantizar su bienestar en todos los países y programas educativos.
Actualmente, debido a problemas políticos y económicos, la mayoría de los Gobiernos están sobre enfatizando el desarrollo anticipado de las habilidades de escritura, lectura y cálculo en nuestros niños en el nivel de educación primaria. Esto socava radicalmente el enfoque holístico de la primera educación.
Debido a estas políticas, se están destrozando las bases y el sentido de la educación de la primera infancia. Esto implica la pérdida de valores esenciales, entre ellos, la creatividad, la imaginación, la mentalidad abierta y la expresión artística, afectando profundamente el derecho y la alegría del niño y la niña a aprender a través del juego.
Sabemos actualmente que las Metas del Milenio de la N.U. de reducir la pobreza y darles a los niños el derecho a la educación no se alcanzarán. Por eso, el Congreso y la Asamblea mundial de OMEP implora a todos los gobiernos a niveles locales y nacionales, reorientar sus planes y colocar recursos para que las metas sean alcanzadas.
Los niños pequeños tienen la voluntad y son capaces de ser agentes de cambio. Los adultos deben escuchar a los niños, y estar atentos a sus perspectivas e ideas en asuntos que se relacionan directamente con ellos.
Kerstin Bäckström has been an OMEP member since 1978, on the board of OMEP Sweden since 1978, vice president of OMEP Sweden. She set up the regional OMEP- chapter in Stockholm, and served as the chairperson until retirement in 2002. Kerstin Bäckström has taken an active part in all OMEP World Assemblies and Conferences between the years 1985 and 2000.
Kerstin Bäckström has brought change to the world‟s children within three major fields; Children and traffic, Bringing up children without violence and Forming and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She has written books and textbooks in these fields as well as lectured all over the OMEP world. Creation of the books My rights about the UN Child Right Convention, written with a child perspective, and in three different versions based on how the different age groups look upon their rights. These books have been translated and adapted by a variety of national OMEP-committees, e g English, Estonian, Japanese.
Dorothy SELLECK (UK)
A teacher in schools in Wales and London; a member of the Schools Inspectorate in England and Wales; conducted research into children‟s development of scientific concepts and into the ways final year students adapted to working with young children in different types of settings; received the honour of OBE (Order of the British Empire) from the Queen; created a bard at the 1995 Welsh National Eisteddfod; returned to the Inspectorate, specifically in Wales; served as Vice-President and President of OMEP (UK).
Has undertaken many other roles for OMEP, including Advocacy, Minute taker, Translator, Newsletter Editor. As well as being active in OMEP throughout her career she has also been a committed member of other groups concerned with young children. Throughout her career she has served on many committees and consultative groups – too many to list!
Congratulations!
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I Impressions from OMEP World Assembly 2010
OMEP Sweden hosted from August 9th to 10th, 2010 The World Assembly in Gothenburg. I had the chance to represent the President of Greek National Committee. This was my second time as participant, the former one was in Tromso, Norway in 2006.
Being sure that all the representatives share the same feelings I would like to mention from the very beginning the excellent work of the hosted team, chaired by Ingrid Engdahl. Without their efforts and warm care for each one of us, it would not be possible to celebrate one fruitful and strong World Assembly.
It‟s not my aim to summarize all the topics we came through in this World Assembly. What I would like to mention is the most three important topics, which, according to my view, seem to be prevailed in any topic discussed in the Assembly, namely: cooperation, visibility and attraction of new members.
Countless times the importance of cooperation was mentioned. Cooperation between the Executive Committee and National Committees, among National Committees, among National Committees and various research groups, other non-governmental organizations and teachers‟ or parents‟ groups.
Cooperation in common projects, such as the “World Project on Education for Sustainable Development”. Moreover, projects such as toy libraries in Africa or support to countries which suffer from various disasters are a great challenge of each committee to understand itself as a member of a worldwide family. As far as
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the Europe is concerned, a project about intercultural education was proposed by the Czech Committee and it was welcome unanimously.
The second topic is visibility of OMEP. Of course almost all working in the field of early childhood education and care have come across our Conferences, workshops or publications, but we have to work hardly to be heard by the authorities and influence decisions. As one of the colleagues mentioned we have to find the correct words in order to force politicians to hear our voice. Moreover, we have to strengthen our voice by reviving the voice of our members and by attracting new ones. In all countries there are growing numbers of postgraduate programs. It is a challenge for us to invite these gifted colleagues as well as all those who work in the field of preschool education and care to participate actively and support our work.
In conclusion, it seems that our Organization is in a turning point. The good about this is that we are determined to work out this challenge: to work together to become the voice of our children and bring to public awareness “of their perspectives and ideas in matters that relate directly to them”, as stated in World Declaration, which was published immediately after the World Assembly and Conference of OMEP 2010.
Nektarios Stellakis
Representative of OMEP Greek Committee
Reflection on OMEP World Assembly 2010
More than 50 OMEP national committees were brought together from all over the world to share experiences and to bring new ideas to action. The assembly was beneficial and essential, making improvements to the work that lies ahead for all in the field.
Every presentation made brought new issues and ideas to light, and encouraged conversations on improvements that can be made. Those in attendance received the book, „Education for Sustainable Development in the Early Years“ written by John Siraj-Blatchford, Kimberly Caroline Smith and Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson. The idea of sustainable development is worth spreading among people and countries throughout the world.
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The OMEP Czech Republic represented by Marek Kadlec, member of the committee and director of Wattsenglish Ltd., a British children's education company utilizing a proven method of natural language learning (http://www.wattsenglish.com/en/), presented a proposal of European Project How to learn about different cultures at pre-school.
The aim of this project is to familiarize children of pre-school age with other cultures and nations. The project is not only focused on integration-oriented multicultural education but also on becoming acquainted with ethnic groups which children may encounter in their neighbourhood. The project should provide teachers with activities and programs acquainting children with other cultures and nations in various regions of Europe.
These programs, which include photographic documentation and other relevant materials, will be posted on a website as an open source to enable teachers to make use of the materials easily. The contribution made by this project will be that of a rich database of resources and activities designed to acquaint learners with different cultures and regions of the world in the context of pre-school education. A similar project has already been running at a bilingual Czech-English kindergarten in Liberec, Czech Republic: http://www.english-kindergarten.eu/.
We believe, thanks to these projects, we will help children to understand there is one world, and we all need to make it the best place for everyone, especially for every single child. That is the goal we seek to achieve.
European Vice President: Milada Rabusicova (Chairing the meeting) World President: Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson
Cyprus: Chrystalla Papademetri & Marianna Efstathiadou, Czech Republic: Marek Kadlec Denmark: Henny Hammershoj & Jorgen Boelskov Finland: Juha Sakkinen, Pirjo Honkavaara & Kaisu Muuronen France: Marlene Brissard & Daniele Perruchon, Germany: Norbert Hirls & Claudia Linsel Greece: Nektarios Stellakis & Loizos Symeou Iceland: Sigridur K. Stefansdottir Ireland: Denice Cunningham Latvia: Ruta Kanepeja Norway: Elin Odegaard & Anna Greve Poland: Anna Wrobel & Malgorzata Naroznik Portugal: Antonio Ponces de Carvalho
Slovakia: Katerina Koledova Spain: Amalia Bayon Alvarez Sweden: Ingrid Engdahl, Bibi Karlsson, Eva Arlemalm-Hagser, & Sonja Sheridan Switzerland: Yvonne Cook & Leo Barblan Turkey: Gelengul Haktanir, Mehmet Toran & Zeynep Kurtulum United Kingdom: Janet Morris, Hugh Morris, Dorothy Selleck & Catherine Morris
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1) Welcome: Milada Rabusicova welcomed those from the nineteen European countries
represented at the meeting.
2) Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by the meeting.
3) World President of OMEP: Prof. Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson thanked everyone for their participation in the World Assembly, and said how pleased she was to see so many countries represented. She stressed the need for close co-operation among the national committees, and said that all are welcome in Sweden.
4) Minutes of previous meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting at Lagos, Nigeria were accepted as correct. Representatives from only four European countries had attended: Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. The planned European meeting at Chester, UK, in April, 2010 was cancelled due to disruption of air travel by the volcanic cloud. Milada will put Janet Morris‟s report on the event in her next Newsletter.
5) Information and announcements from the European member countries: a) Janet Morris (UK) explained how the Chester/Manchester European Conference in April, 2010 went ahead with the British delegates, and was a great success. However, it was a great disappointment that the other European delegates were unable to attend, and their efforts to do so had been appreciated.
b) Genengul Haktanir (Turkey) informed the meeting that the National Committee report for UNESCO on pre-school education is ready to print on the UNESCO website. This includes three subjects: Pre-school education, Adult education and Special education. Ingrid P.S. is to address a conference on 15th October , on “How can we manage a sustainable life for children?” The section on “Children and Architecture” will include a
visit to cave dwellings in Cappadocia, to look at architecture and nature. c) Anna Wrobel (Poland) introduced an art competition, celebrating the International Year of Fryderyk Chopin. A paper giving full details was circulated.
d) Anne Greve (Norway) announced that there will be a Conference at the end of June2011 on the Norwegian Ministry of Education White Paper on three year olds‟ language assessment and young children‟s development of linguistic skills. The plan is to make a special issue in the online journal, “Nordic Kindergarten Report.” There are pressures challenging the Norwegian K.G tradition. Teachers‟ unions are holding conferences all over the country. They are collaborating with Sweden to write a paper to get support from Europe.
e) Marek Kadlec (The Czech Republic) reported that further work on the OMEP archives at the Comenius Museum in Prague will take place in the near future. f) A letter was read out from Elena Markeviciene (President of OMEP Lithuania) explaining her absence due to financial constraints and her greetings to everybody.
6) Report of regional Vice-President: Milada Rabusicova reported that several countries sent their annual reports to her in the three official languages of English, French and Spanish. She expressed gratitude to those who were able to arrange this, although others found the cost of translation prohibitive. Nevertheless, we need to persist with the trilingual publication.
Milada explained that it had been a long time since the last newsletter, but, as the European meeting had not taken place, there had not been enough items. She asked
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for items for the forthcoming newsletter. Bibi congratulated her on the quality of newsletters we had received.
New membership and preparatory committees: Cyprus was congratulated on attaining full membership. Chrystalla Papademetri thanked the group for their acceptance, and also thanked the Greek committee for their help. She invited the next European conference and meeting to Nicosia in the spring of 2011.
Ukraine are still a preparatory committee. The Polish committee is assisting them to gain full membership.
Italy wants to renew its membership. A member from Bologna is attending this congress, and is keen to set up a preparatory group.
Croatia has requested becoming an associate member but to date there is insufficient information to proceed with this. Further negotiations will take place. Nektarios Stellakis suggested that we should help Bulgaria and Albania to participate. They already sent delegates to the European meeting in Greece in 2009.
7) Current stage of the World project on ESD and proposal for the European Project: a) ESD: Many countries, all together 28, have been involved in the Swedish-led project on „Education for Sustainable Development‟. Amalia Bayon Alvarez showed a file of ideas for different projects, which included children‟s artwork. They have won a national award towards the future and the use of public money. She also has a full English version.
Milada has attended a conference on ESD in Slovakia, which was very interesting. Ingrid Engdahl proposed the continuation of the Project by including more countries. Talking with young children about the logo of children washing the world will continue to be used as a starting point, and in addition, reports on ESD in practice will be added. Bibi Karlsson expressed the need to use our findings with politicians.
b) Multicultural Projects: Marek Kadlec circulated a paper, “How to learn about different cultures at preschool age.” This is a two-stage project on multicultural education, learning and disseminating best practice. The first stage involves how practice with the children is recorded, documented and carried out, and the second stage involves practitioners disseminating findings through workshops, meetings and electronically, and possibly visiting other countries to teach these methods, if financial assistance can be obtained. He suggested applying for money from EU Grundtvig program for this. Nektarios Stellakis pointed out that the project could be started without funding. Jorgen Boelskov said they are already doing this with “0+,” teaching student teachers. He suggested the Comenius Project might be appropriate for the second stage. Leo Barblan enquired what is being considered “best practice?” There was discussion, and more information will be sent out.
8) Elections at World Assembly 2010: There was one nomination for Regional Vice President for Latin America from Brazil – Maria Apareciela Salmaze. There were seven nominations for Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson as World President. Janet Morris introduced Dorothy Selleck who was nominated as an Honorary member, and Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson introduced Kerstin Backstrom.
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9. Proposals for next European Regional Meetings and Conferences:
2011: Nicosia, Cyprus (with co-operation of Greece), 6-8 May 2012: Warsaw, Poland
Chrystalla Papademetri and Nektarios Stellakis gave a presentation and issued an invitation to all member countries to attend.
OMEP Poland wishes to invite the European meeting to Poland in 2012.
10. Any Other Business:
a) Ingrid Engdahl appealed for help to write the statement on the importance of a play-based curriculum, which had been proposed at the World Congress. Nektarios Stellakis and Dorothy Selleck volunteered.
b) Nektarios Stellakis raised his concern about the World Executive‟s proposal for a levy on Regional meetings. It was too late to apply it to the 2011meeting in Cyprus, as registration fees had already been fixed and publicity prepared. Additionally he felt that it conflicted with the general desire to encourage the active involvement of students and others for whom prices were critical. In discussion around this, Hugh Morris reminded the meeting that fluctuating exchange rates could cause additional problems, especially when fixing charges.
c) Amalia Bayon Alvarez expressed her appreciation to the Swedish Committee for their organization of the Congress and Conference.
Milada and Ingrid thanked all members for attending and the meeting closed at 17.30.
Minutes takers: Janet Morris and Dorothy Selleck
OMEP UK
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On the OMEP European Conference
22-24th April 2010
In spite of the fact that our mainland European delegates and speakers were unable to come, because of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland causing a complete flying ban, the
Conference went ahead largely as planned.
On Thursday April 22nd the conference started at Chester University. It was opened by Anna Sutton, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Children‟s Services. Our hosts for the day also provided us with refreshments, including a very nice lunch. There was a good range of papers from the UK but we were disappointed not to hear those promised by our European delegates. After reading out an address from Milada the following papers were presented and are available on our website.
Enjoying & Achieving – the EYFS through the DVD, Janet & Hugh Morris Provision for young children in Wales (UK), Dorothy Selleck Motivation and Learning through Stories, Delyth Owen Not allowed to kiss the babies: Complexities and Contradictions in Baby Room Policies and Practice, Sacha Powell
Early Years Professional Status: Impact and Issues from Employers‟ Perspectives, Sarah Sharpe Balancing Risk and Challenge, Angela Nurse
A Study of Children‟s Experiences of Freedom of Time, Space and Choice in a Montessori Nursery School, a Steiner Kindergarten and an Early Years Children‟s Centre following a Free Flow Curriculum, Edwina Mitchell
The Forest School Approach: Its impact on Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings in part of Staffordshire, Ann Whitehouse
In the evening there was a reception hosted by Visit Chester, held at the Guildhall where we were greeted by Elanor Roberts, Head of Early Years for West Cheshire and Chester and entertained by a choir of 40 very enthusiastic children from St Werburgh's and St. Columba's Primary School, Chester, who have won music awards in the area.
On Friday April 23rd delegates spent the morning visiting one of three children‟s settings. More had been lined up but, in the circumstances, they had to be disappointed. We were made very welcome and it was gratifying to see how well the children were catered for
and how much they were enjoying their early years experience. They all provided very good examples of our UK system.
The afternoon European meeting was the one element that had to be cancelled. It was replaced by an open discussion session on promoting OMEP and recruiting more members. We are grateful to West Cheshire and Chester Early Years for providing the accommodation for this at a very nice hotel and for the lunch which preceded it. In the evening there was a gala dinner in the imposing setting of the Chester Cathedral Refectory. Entertainment was provided by a choir
from Ysgol Min-y-ddol in Wrexham and Sioned on the harp. All pupils aged 4 to 11 from this small Welsh village school came – but not the nursery. The menu for the dinner was typical English fare, including delicious roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
On Saturday April 24th delegates travelled to Manchester to join 200 others in the 37th Annual North West Regional Conference. As Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson had not been
able to get over from Sweden and John Siraj-Blatchford has been unable to get home from Hong Kong one of the scheduled sessions was missing. Janet and Hugh Morris repeated the paper they had presented on Thursday, providing an opportunity for everyone assembled to watch children enjoying their achievements. Then Linda Pound spoke on
“Children‟s contributions to their learning” and Ros Bayley spoke about “Excellent early years practitioners.” The day and the conference ended with Spud and Yam presenting “Music and song to energise and inspire.” The audience joined in with great enthusiasm. The whole event was an uplifting experience, very sociable and thought-provoking.
For those who were able to attend it had been an enjoyable and inspiring event. We felt so sorry that our European delegates had not been able to join us and who, we are sure, would have appreciated it as much as those present. They were all very much missed. Some had tried very hard up to the last minute to come and it was disappointing not to renew our friendships and to have those discussions so important to OMEP members.
Janet Morris
OMEP UK President
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Invitation to European Regional meeting and
Conference to Nicosia, Cyprus
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OMEP World Project on Education
for Sustainable Development – continue
The OMEP World Project on ESD Part 1 was a great success. OMEP members all over the world have interviewed children about their thoughts and opinions linked to the OMEP Congress Logo.
28 national reports have been delivered from different parts of the world and 9 142 children, aged of two to eight years, have participated in the interviews. The interviews were carried out by 641 interviewers in 385 preschools, schools and other settings for small children in 241 cities and regions around the world; a fantastic contribution.
Thanks to the national reports, we now have more global knowledge about ESD from a child perspective. The report to the OMEP congress about the project can be found on the OMEP web site www.omep.org.gu.se.
The OMEP World Assembly 2010 in Göteborg, Sweden, decided to continue the ESD project.
The overall aim of the ESD project is to enhance the awareness of Education for Sustainable Development among OMEP members, young children and early childhood education at large.
There are many positive responses about the Child Interview Project, particularly mentioning the method; the direct and easy way to communicate around ESD with young children. More countries and members can enrol and start organising a child interview project, a continuation of the OMEP World Project on ESD Part 1.
The aim of ESD project Part 1 - Child interviews is to collect information about young children‟s thoughts, comments and understanding of the OMEP 2010 Congress logo.
The OMEP World Assembly 2010 in Göteborg, Sweden, also decided to expand the OMEP World Project on ESD with a Part 2 – ESD in practice.
reflect …... on the cultural differ- ences in the world
rethink ….. people today value other things
reuse …… make more use of old things
reduce …... we can do more with less
recycle ..... someone else can use it again
redistribute resources can be used more equally
Organisation Mondiale pour l’Éducation Préscolaire World Organisation for Early Childhood Education Organización Mundial para la Educación Preescolar www.omep.org.gu.se
The aims of Part 2 - ESD in practice are to implement Education for Sustainable Development together with the children in early child-hood education practices and
to collect information and further understanding of young children‟s ideas and actions within ESD.
Part 2 – ESD in practice is inspired by the 7 Rs, as shown in the new logo. The participants are asked to work with the children around the 7 Rs, one, two or many. The Rs were originally identified by the Brundtland Commission Our Common Future (1987), and have now been further developed by the OMEP World Assembly. Together, they include all three ESD pillars; Respect, Reflect and Rethink relate directly to social and cultural dimensions, Reuse and Reduce highlight environmental aspects and Recycle and Redistribute clearly draw on the economic perspective.
Children, teachers, parents or other adults choose together how to organise ESD in practice projects; what can be done in everyday life and what to focus on. Those, who took part in the OMEP Child interview project, already have knowledge about the most important issues for young children for a sustainable lifestyle. Part 2 ESD in practice can thus be a continuation, leaning on the answers from the child interviews. For all, a starting out question could be: What do you think is NOT sustainable here in our centre/preschool/school? How can we change this together?
OMEP National Committees appoint national project leaders, who will be respons-ible for the ESD part 1 and/or part 2 projects. The OMEP World Project coordinators will send out guidelines about the time-tables and information letters. If you sign up for Part 1 – Child interviews, the interview guide is already available on the OMEP web site www.omep.org.gu.se Go to Projects - ESD projects.
October, 2010 Confirmation of participation, send in the attached Registration Form Appointing project leaders, starting planning the national project
Information to local early childhood centres and OMEP members
November The start of Local projects (part 2) and child interviews (part 1)
Spring, 2011 ESD in practice - projects continue
May Local reports about ESD in Practice are sent to project leaders
June National reports with chosen examples to World project coordinators
July, 2011 Presentations and discussions at the OMEP World Assembly and
World Conference in Hong Kong http://home.ied.edu.hk/~omep2011
OMEP International is working on getting sponsorship for ESD Grants. In 2010, nine practitioners were invited to come to the OMEP Congress to present their ESD projects. Hopefully, the same opportunity will open for the OMEP World Conference in Hong Kong. More information will be put on the web site and also sent to the OMEP National Committees.
Welcome onboard this exciting project!
Project Coordinators
Ingrid Engdahl Milada Rabušicová
President OMEP Sweden Regional President OMEP Europe
International Plastic Competition ‘Meeting with Chopin’
Polish Committee of OMEP would like to invite all National Committees OMEP to take part in art competition in connection with International Year of Fryderyk Chopin. The aim of the competition is popularization of polish composer‟s music by means of different kinds of children‟s art activities inspired with the music of the great composer. COMPETITION REGULATIONS
I. Organizers:
Polish Commity of OMEP
Kindergarten nr 25 in Warsaw
Kindergarten nr 31 Zdzisław Witwicki in Warsaw
II. Patronship:
Teachers magazine „Preschool Education‟
Warsaw Music Society II. Sponzorship:
Warszaw Tour Office
Warszaw, Śródmieście District
The Fryderyk Chopin Institute
III. COMPETION AUDIENCE: Children aged 4, 5, 6 from all over the World.
IV. AIMS OF THE COMPETITION:
breaking free of imagination and developing of creativity;
popularization of great Polish composer – Fryderyk Chopin‟s music among preschool children in Poland and abroad;
integration of European National Committees of OMEP by means of realization of common actions;
promotion of Poland in World.
V. RULES OF COMPETITION:
The object of competition is realization of plastic work, any flat technique, on brystol paper size A3;
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Children need to do works on their own, under teachers or parents Guidance.
Each competition participant may create one work. Each institution may propose maximum 3 works for the competition.
Each work should have typed description according to the pattern:
name, surname and age of the author of work,
name and address of the institution, e-mail ,
name and surname of child‟s teacher ,
name of National Committee OMEP,
piece of music which inspired plastic work.
Works should be send to 10 October 2010, to: Przedszkole nr 25 ul. Boya Żeleńskiego 4a 00-621 Warsaw, Poland with a note „KONKURS‟
Sent works will not be returned.
Works which will not meet competition rules will not take part in competition.
Sending of works means acceptation of rules and agreement of processing of personal details in competition purposes.
VI. WORKS ASSESMENT
Competition works will be assessed by a committee appointed by the Organizers.
Art values, ideas and originality of works will be assessed.
Results of competition will be announced on PK OMEP website: www.omep.org.pl and www.omep.org.gu.se
Laureates will be informed individual about the results by e-mail
The winners of the competition will receive diplomas and distinctions, the institutions which will take part in the competition will receive diplomas of participation.
Winners work will be presented on websites of PK OMEP, Kindergarten nr 25 and Kindergarten nr 31.
The results will be announced to 30 October 2010.
Exhibition of competition Works will be organised in Warsaw Music
Society, Morskie Oko 2 street, on November 2010.
Awards, diplomas and distinctions will be send to the laureates between 1-30 Nowember 2010.
