Verein Europa und Bildung

ORGANIZATION AND GOALS The association "Europe and Education - Association for the Promotion of Innovation and Internationalization, Digitization, Europe, Development and Sustainability" is a non-profit association based in Graz, Styria. The area of activity is the federal territory of Austria. The activities of the association are intended to support the education system in the course of time. Current challenges such as digitization, migration, globalization and climate change demand innovation processes from the education system in order to guarantee high-quality education in Austria. Social and economic problems such as the shortage of skilled workers and low birth rates require the education system to take appropriate development steps. Due to the moderate performance of Austrian students in PISA tests and controversial political discussions (pro/contra all-day school, joint school for under 14-year-olds, ...), the education system came into the focus of public discourse. As a non-profit and non-political organization, the association "Europe and Education" wants to contribute objectively to the discourse about the education system and support and start initiatives for modernization. The association's activities are aimed at developing the skills of people in the education system. They should be enabled to shape the process of change in the education system in the background of current challenges. A further aim is to promote the participation of educationally disadvantaged people in the educational process. The association also focuses on the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The goal is to raise awareness of the fact that sustainability and environmental protection are not only the task of biology lessons, but must encompass all other subjects and all levels of education. People in the educational sector (e.g. teachers, school principals,...) need continuous further education and training in the field of sustainability/climate protection/ecology in order to provide students with the necessary know-how for a sustainable life. ACTIVITIES The core concept of the association "Europe and Education" is the principle of cooperation between the actors in the education sector and the relevant stakeholders. On the one hand, national and international exchange brings new approaches for solutions to the domestic education system, on the other hand, own approaches can be further disseminated. A higher internationalization and Europeanization of the domestic education system also leads to a higher quality for students and apprentices. Through the exchange of best practices, international trainings and cooperation, global exchange is promoted. This has positive effects on the challenges that need to be addressed in the education system. The Association Europe and Education acts as a supporter of (international) exchange: through networking and cooperation between education actors, the establishment of information and communication platforms, the support and promotion of mobility in the education system and through public relations, mediation and information activities. Furthermore, the association initiates and organizes (international) education measures: planning, organization, implementation and management of workshops, trainings, and courses; moderation, advice, coaching of stakeholders; supervision and consulting; planning, organization and implementation of European and innovation-related development and mobility projects; organization of events, discussion events, lectures. The association continuously supports the work of the Service Unit Europe/Internationalization of the Education Directorate Styria. Among others in the field of administration and office management, in public relations or the management of Erasmus+ projects (support in writing the application, administration, partner acquisition) and delegation visits. Further cooperations are already planned, for instance in the field of the organization of the 2nd