Meeting Report

Partnership meeting report in Scuola Secondaria di I Grado G.Pascoli, Fasano di Brindisi, Italy

27 – 28 September 2012

 

Partners:

• Beypazarı Kız Teknik ve Meslek Lisesi, Ankara, TR
• Club Senior Nordstad, Ettelbruck, Luxemburg, LU
• Escola Secundaria, D.Sancho I, Vila Nova de Famalicão, PT
• Fundacja Pomocy Niewidomym, Lomianki, PL
• Scuola Secondaria di I Grado G.Pascoli, Fasano di Brindisi, IT
• Universidad Permanente de la Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, ES
• Zebra Formations asbl, Hannut, BE

 

1. Designating a secretary for the project meeting (who will take notes, write and communicate the report). This person should belong to the organization of the following project meeting.

The partners from Beypazari were asked to fulfil this task. The proposal was helpfully accepted by Turkey.The secretary for the Fasano meeting is Caner UGURLAR from Beypazari Kiz Teknik ve Meslek Lisesi, Turkey; because in the second meeting in Luxembourg it was Turkey’s turn but the task was rejected by the previous colleague in charge of representing Turkey. The report for the present meeting will be sent to the coordinator to be checked before dispatching to all partners via emails.

 

2. Presentation by Italy of the second compilation of products in Compendium form.

Adoption of the specific project logo which has been proposed by Spain.

Maria by Italy presented the Compendium in its PDF format. It was totally 38 pages. The parts of different partners had been listed in alphabetical order, so Belgium was the first and Turkey was the last. Different items for each partners had been separated : Definition and characteristics of the IG Groups; Objectives of the IG workshop; Methodology and description of the workshop activities; Results obtained from the various workshops and activities in terms of learning / teaching pedagogy and IG experiments; Assessment of the degree of adaptability of the activities to different institutional and organizational contexts.

In this way it is easy to find information. All participants agreed with this model.

Italy will get in contact with Turkey who will be the responsible for the next compendium. Turkey has to keep all as it is made, from the technical point of view.

Regarding the Compendium Maria told that some difficulties had arisen due to varying formats used by some partners. To overcome this problem all partners were asked to use a common template for their compilation. A 4 pages model of this will be sent by Italy to all partners who in turn will have to send their compilations to Turkey {see 8/ (c)}.

The cooperation between Spain and Italy was evaluated and it was understood that it had worked well. Turkey was suggested to have the same cooperation with Italy and Maria was told to send the present file to Turkey as soon as possible.

It was stated that Compendiums had to be four pages and each partner was responsible of completing their own.

Maria will also send the present file to Spain and it will be put on the Partnership Web base by Spain.

 

 

3. Presentations by Partners of their local activities as best practices to be shared (in the form of a Power Point Presentation).

 

Each partner presented the results of their work during the third period about the “clothes and fashion” lifestyles in various generational groups. The presentations respected the agreed common structure.

The presentations showed a big variety of creative approaches to the theme; a vast diversity of methods: analysis, questionnaires, surveys, interviews, photos, etc; the workshops were very active with many generations involved. They demonstrated that the dressing habits from past to present had changed during the decades; there had been different outfits in the different countries: in all presentations the different characteristics of the outfits reflected the society and social culture of each country;

 

A/ Turkey

Their presentation included many aspects of dressing habits in Turkey from past to present. A survey on dressing was conducted and results were analyzed providing diagrams and charts according to age groups. They analyzed a lot of photographs which belonged to past and present. Comparisons were made between young and older members’ dressing habits. The young members of the group had been given both casual and ceremony clothes of the past and they had been asked to compare them. The members of different age groups went for shopping together. They were asked to choose an outfit on behalf of each other. During “shopping workshop” participants learned about each other’s tastes. Age groups were asked what they had learnt from each other and what they knew about the dressing habits of the other group. Suggestions were given concerning how the workshop could be adapted by other partners.

 

B/ Portugal

The presentation began with setting the aims and methods that had been used. The workshop activities questioned the evolution of fashion over time, showing a variety of styles linked to several generations, particularly in the area of wedding elegance. Typical patterns for daily or Sunday clothes were also examined and described. In order to compare feminine fashion evolution through three generations of Portuguese women, the IG group had been divided into two and older learners had been asked to collect photos of two previous generations before them. Younger learners had been asked to collect photos of their own generation.

Learners were able to establish relations between fashion styles and social categories disclosing differences between the working classes, the upper classes and the high society.

The fashion of old days and nowadays in Portugal was exhibited by photos. The results of workshop activities were clearly stated in the presentation.

A lot of photos enriched the presentation.

 

C/ Poland

The Polish presentation began with the diagram of their IG group. They explained each item one by one. They had divided the IG groups into three. The first group had included members from 17 to 25 years old, the second group members were the ones between 25 and 50 years old, the last group members were formed older than 50 years old. The group members were asked some questions about how often they bought clothes, if they took care of their daily outfit and if they benefitted from the advice of the shop assistant…etc.The results of the research among several generational groups outlined what respondents thought about fashions. The survey described what they believed to be fashionable and original in their view. The results based on questions were illustrated by graphs.

The survey of a workshop called “Shopping My Decision” revealed the shopping habits of different age groups.

 

D/ Luxembourg

Luxembourgish team continued the activities with nearly the same groups in the first two periods of the project. They had divided the IG group into two; one organised in the form of a colour consulting workshop with the help of a colour consultant. At first learners were asked to establish their personal colour type among the four seasonal colours then to find a match with their most appropriate clothing style that should equally depend on body shape knowledge.

The workshop included items related to accessories and jewellery. Learners were able to assess the advantages of the method (knowing your style) for shopping.

The workshop also included a different part called as “favorably clothing style”.

The second workshop which was named “exchange about fashion” was aimed to initiate a discussion. It focused on fashion tastes enabling participants to learn from each other as individuals but also as members of their own generation.

The results obtained from workshops had been added to the end of the presentation.

 

E/ Spain

The agreed common structure was used to highlight a number of workshops in relation to the lifestyles variable. The description and methodology of eight workshops were presented in detail;

1) Intergenerational meeting; meeting of the IG work group.

2) Intergenerational debate; debate on survey results, different question about clothes and fashion had been asked to the IG group and the results based on questions were illustrated by graphs

3) The evolution of fashion; the evolution of fashion in Spain through the decades of the previous century was illustrated by colorful images.

4) Regional costumes; regional costumes of Spanish people were told.

5) Visit a fashion exhibition; hits of the fashion and design in Spain were examined.

6) A conference about the golden age of fashion; a survey and a short article on fashion from the point of view by professionals.

7) My favorite dress; the favorite clothes from IG point of view.

8) Material development; questionnaire, report and video materials were used in production of the presentation.

The Nvivo research software for analysis was reused as in previous variables. It revealed or confirmed the cyclical evolution of fashion, its replacement by brands and the trend towards individual freedom in the choice of what to wear.

 

F/ Belgium

            The presentation began with definition and characteristics of the IG groups. The workshop activities for mixed generations target groups were concentrated on three facets of the lifestyle variable destined to test knowledge on fashion identification.

In the first workshop there were pictures representing men and women fashion styles at different periods of time from 1920s to 2000s, learners working jointly were asked to link styles with periods of time and to exchange their perceptions. The results of each fashion style were illustrated separately by graphs and interpreted.

In the second workshop members had been asked to bring, show and talk about an item of their own. Participants had a talk about them.

In the last workshop “wedding clothes fashion over time” a lot of different photos at different periods of time had been shown to the learners and they had been asked to choose two of them in order to point out the differences. There were some familiar faces in some of the photos. Results obtained from the workshops were explained and the presentation punctuated with the latest fashion of police uniforms belonging to the partnership countries.

 

G / Italy

The presentation began with a photograph of the IG group. The group was composed of 21 students with a large part of women. The definition and characteristics of the IG groups were illustrated by pie charts. The group met at the meeting place. They had been asked to dress and display what they would wear in elegant contexts, for special ceremonies or in more relaxed situations. Everybody had worn the chosen dress that made him/her at ease in important situations, such as wedding, birthday parties. Then, a survey had been applied to them. Results of the survey were explained briefly. Preferences of each gender were given separately and differences among generations had also been added to the end of the first workshop.

The theme of the second workshop was “casual clothes” which are used in daily situations. The methodology was the same as the first workshop. The results, preferences and differences among generations were stated clearly and briefly.

        Special attention was given to the attire of certain young people who dress up provocatively to express opposition or reaction to established social norms.

A lot of photos enriched the presentation.

 

The coordinator said that the partners had a lot of good examples and creative workshops. It was really on the spot and the aims of the project were reached.

At the end of all presentations Nuria by Spain collected all presentations in order to put them in the website.

 

A complete review of the presentations is already online at:

http://www.proyectosupua.es/lifestyles/es/content/italy-fasano-di-brindisi/materials

 

4. Evaluation tools (continuous assessment of the progression of the project and partnership).

 

a)- Presentation by Poland and Portugal of the compilation of results of the evaluation carried out in Beypazari (for dissemination on the website).

The statistics showed a very detailed analysis of all the aspects of the project and partnership (communication, creativity, educational activities, learning skills, learning strategies, personal achievement). Pie charts and statistics were shown revealing a high degree of participant satisfaction in all questionnaire items under scrutiny.

  According to results of the survey;

• We’re well informed about the project,
• We’re able to express our opinions,
• There is a good collaboration and cooperation among partners,
• Relationship among partners are satisfactory,
• Numbers of opportunities for partners is adequate,
• We can exchange ideas with partners,
• We’re satisfied with the goals of the project and our performance at the end of the activity
• We’re involved in the activities

 

Poland completed the presentation with the survey. Magdalena stated that agreement rate degree of the survey is % 90. Sections that received the highest satisfaction scores were “collaboration”, “relationships” “personal involvement” and “enrichment by multicultural perspectives’”

However the reasons for a minimal number of dissatisfaction answers remain uncertain (I don’t agree and I don’t agree at all). It was therefore suggested that in future some brief extra information could be added to a negative opinion to make the reason explicit. The reasons would be taken into consideration and used in evaluating the surveys.

It would be useful to compare preceding analysis conducted in Luxemburg with the evaluation study conducted during the meeting in Turkey.

The presentation will be communicated to Spain for inclusion on the partnership web site hosted by UPUA.We will be able to notice the differences between surveys.

 

b) - Third evaluation session organised by Poland and Portugal.

 

The third evaluation session which had been organized by Poland and Portugal took place with the distribution of the questionnaire sheets. Everybody filled them in.

Poland and Portugal will pursue the on-going joint evaluation task.

 

5/Dissemination of products through the partnership website hosted by UPUA: checking the various tasks that were to be completed.

 

• The coordinator asked if every partner had sent the translation of the 2 sentences in the home page, it was understood that sending had been completed.
• Sending the correct logo of some partners had been completed.

 

Notes:

1. Sending press reports of any scanned article or newspaper link covering an event related to the partnership. ONGOING

 

The coordinator reminded to send press reports to Spain in order to put them in the website. Maria told that Italy had got a new one and would send it to Spain.

 

2. Transmission of the evaluation results of the Luxembourg meeting shown in Turkey.

COMPLETED

 

3. Sending translations of the extra two and a half pages of information about the project (Motivation, Objectives and strategy, Impact, Relevance, European added value): BEFORE THE END OF MARCH 2013.

Some partners have already completed this task.

 

6/ Evaluation of communication between partners via

            http://groups.live.com/lifestyles-revisited

            lifestyles-revisited@groups.live.com

 

The rearrangement of the files in the web blog was approved. All partners agreed that this tool was working well.

It was reminded that partners should have uploaded the photos.

Zebra indicated that “unreadable” files would be deleted and asked partners to make sure that their posted files (such as photos or videos) could be opened.

 

7/ Agreement on the choice of a new lifestyle variable to be more specifically studied in relation to its local context.

 

Discussion of the next meeting started. The subject for the meeting in Poland was discussed. The topic “Arts and Literature” was suggested by Belgium as a possible lifestyle variable for study. The last period of the project could concentrate on the European dimension.

Spain then proposed to envisage the European dimension through a lifestyle theme related to leisure and free time. This proposal was unanimously adopted and its practical implementation will be discussed at the next meeting in Poland.

 

(Note: the collection of products concerning the fourth and last variable for the compendium ends in May 2013).

The new lifestyles variable was formulated as “Arts and / or literature” leaving each partner free to approach the theme in a creative manner.

 

However the debate and general discussion that followed concentrated on various forms of art such as music, painting, dance, cinema and literature.

 

This theme was unanimously adopted as the next (4^th) lifestyle variable (in short: Forms of Artistic Expression)

 

The brainstorming session produced several ideas. As usual, they are to be used in practical terms in IG workshops that should be adapted by other groups.

 

This means that the presentations must not be descriptions of each country’s arts or literature (although workshops are based on them).

 

• BELGIUM

• Comparing musical tastes between young and older people.
• Attending a concert and gathering impressions.
• Collecting views and likings on paintings depicting music.
• Connecting dances with musical styles.

• ITALY
  • Exploring various art forms (music, dance, paintings, photographs, and cinema).
  • Relating local arts to ancient (folk) dances and linking dances with historical meanings about women.
  • Comparing holy (religious) art (songs, objects, Christmas cribs, etc.) with profane art.

• LUXEMBOURG
  • Visiting museums.
  • Painting activities for several generations.
  • Intergenerational dancing.
  • In the above workshops Lëtzebuergesch would be included as a communication language.

• POLAND
  • Comparing modern art versus traditional art.
  • Finding ways of enabling visually impaired or blind persons to have access to art.
  • Producing a survey asking the question “Are You an Artist?”

• PORTUGAL

• Creating dancing and painting workshops.
• Exploring the characteristics of cultural and folkloric music
• Visiting the famous Camilo Castelo Branco museum in Famalicão.
• Traditional singing from house to house and from classroom to classroom.

• SPAIN

• Discovering ephemeral sculptures made with mashed paper.
• Uncovering learners’ interests in arts with a questionnaire.
• Visiting exhibitions, museums and taking part in local festivities.

• TURKEY
  • Handicraft workshops with decorative fabrics.
  • Giving knitting lessons.
  • Studying the contemporary situation of handmade carpets.
  • Assessing the importance of accessories (gold and silver).

 

The ideas given above are proposals: Partners are free to use any of the above ideas.

 

After sharing ideas, the group gathered a lot of suggestions, each country added their extra ideas to the proposal they had done before. Daniel told us that Belgium had many different festivals, they would work on it. He added there was an art competition of establishing castles and houses made of sand.

 

Concerning the presentation of workshops at the meeting in Poland, see point 11/a)

 

8/Reminder and review of the specific distribution of tasks, according to the application form and particularly in view of the evaluation and production of the compendium.

 

Partners responsible for collecting and structuring the products for the Project Compendium following a common structure (point 3):

 

(a) SPAIN (between January 2012 and June 2012) for products done and shared by partners between September 2011 and January 2012.       COMPLETED

(b) ITALY (between June 2012 and September 2012- for products done and shared by partners between January 2012 and June 2012.      COMPLETED

(c) TURKEY (between September 2012 and January 2013) for products done and shared between partners between June 2012 and September 2012. ONGOING

 

Following this distribution of tasks, Turkey will be responsible of collecting material for compendium concerning the “Clothes and fashion” lifestyle. The structure will be the same used by Italy. Italy will send to Caner the template model of Compendium.

 

The deadline for sending Compendium was fixed. All partners have to send to Turkey the 4 pages of Compendium BY THE END OF NOVEMBER (at the latest).

 

(d) LUXEMBURG

( between January 2013 and May 2013) for products done and shared by partners between September 2012 and January 2013.

 

9/ Intermediate (progress) report: feedback from National Agencies.

 

 After a short exchange of views, it was understood that only Luxembourg had received a feedback from their National Agency. Barbara told the participants that their National Agency had appreciated the progress in the project. Barbara will send a copy of the text to all partners.

 

10/ Calendar of meetings, events and activities as accepted at the previous meeting in Beypazari

 

The next partnership meeting will take place in Poland.

Magdalena from Poland told that the date of the meeting would be in the winter holiday and it wouldn’t be possible to visit the school during the meeting. Maria (Italy) questioned the opportunity of visiting the Fundacja Pomocy Niewidomym centre during the meeting dates established previously. Taking into consideration the fact that Turkey had booked flights corresponding to those dates they will remain as decided in Beypazari.

Magda (Poland) explained that a compromise outcome could be reached and that the Centre could be exceptionally opened for a visit on Thursday (afternoon).

Magdalena suggested a hotel named “Old Time Hotel” and showed it via internet. She told all partners that she would inform them about everything by mail. She informed all partners about the hotel prices and added that different possibilities were available for accommodation in Poland.

 

- POLAND                January 2013

                                   Thursday  17/01

                                   Friday       18/01

 

- PORTUGAL           May 2013

                                   Thursday   23/05

                                   Friday        24/05

 

The dates of the meeting in Poland had already been fixed in the meeting in Alicante, as for the meeting in Portugal the dates were fixed after a short discussion. The meeting in Portugal will be held on Thursday 23^rd and Friday 24^th in May, 2013. Porto is the nearest airport.

 

11/ Any other matters.

 

(a) Presentations.

Considering the nature of the fourth lifestyle variable (arts) it was decided that presentations at the meeting in Poland would be restricted: 10 to 15 minutes (maximum). They should be limited to the 4 pages corresponding to the compendium description. However extra illustrations of the theme can be presented by partners in a less formal context during social activities (in the evening / after meals, taking into consideration that we have a limited time)

 

(b) EST: European Shared Treasure

It is a Europe-wide database for Comenius, Leonardo and Grundtvig Partnerships which aims to increase the visibility of projects across Europe and facilitate access to results and outcomes.      http://www.europeansharedtreasure.eu/

 

All partners will receive a guide to EST data input for beneficiaries from their National Agencies along with a code to logon to the base online.

 

This procedure is compulsory in order to comply with the contract regulations.

Spain has already been through this task. Therefore access for outside visitors is possible using this link: http://www.europeansharedtreasure.eu/detail.php?id_project_base=2011-1-BE2-GRU06-01709

 

4. Applications for a new partnership

Daniel stated that the project would finish the following year and asked what their opinion was about further projects.

There will be little time left after the meeting in Poland if a decision is taken at that moment.

The positions given could be summarized as follows:

 

Belgium

Could envisage joining partners but not as coordinator. A project focusing on the use of play (taken in a broad sense) as learning / teaching methodology could be interesting.

 

Italy

The idea of a renewed partnership is appealing. However local constraints make it difficult: there is the obligation of referring to the school Head.

 

Luxembourg

Is ready to apply for a renewed partnership. They propose a project based on the concept of “displacement” and the learning difficulties this implies for persons who come from foreign countries or who are obliged for some reason to move a new place or commute regularly.

According to Barbara an application placed at the Luxembourg Agency stood a high chance of being accepted.

 

Poland

A project on migration would not be suitable for their learners but well on play as a teaching aid to integrate people with particular difficulties (like travelling) such as visually impaired or blind persons.

 

Portugal

Cannot at this present time give a precise position as this will depend on local authorities in Famalicão. However, the principle a renewed partnership is imaginable.

 

Spain

Would like to renew a partnership but due to the important number of applications in Spain there would be little chance of being selected if the application was placed in Spain.

 

Turkey

Would be happy to be part of a renewed partnership but organisations in Turkey have to “jump” a year before they can apply again.

 

It was reminded that renewed partnerships should be an extension or development of a previous one and should include new partners in order to be eligible.

 

The partners agreed the meeting had been very constructive and extremely successful from all points of view. The meeting was held in a collaborative manner and pleasant atmosphere. Further conversations among the participants during break times and supper time allowed partners to share their own culture and social opinions with others. After the meeting on the first day, as it had been planned before, the participants visited Alberobello, the city of “trulli”. A competent guide informed the visitors about the history, architecture style and culture of the city. It was also a festival day of the city; so, participants observed the cultural treasures that Italian colleagues had in their region.

The organisation was flawless and very much appreciated by everyone, everything occurred as it had been planned. Participants unanimously expressed their gratitude on several occasions. They had many conversation opportunities and plenty occasions of discovering the local culture. They also had the opportunity of creating a common European culture.

At the end of the second day, the meeting was closed with a round of applause and cheers for our Italian host who tried and succeeded in taking everyone’s needs and requests into consideration. During the dinner party all were shown how to dance the sensual pizzica and taranta dances. The dinner was eaten in an extremely good friendship atmosphere.

But originality reached its highest peak when partners were able to enjoy the flavour of a Grundtvig cake within the boundaries of a Safari Park, an event that could inspire the next Grundtvig Echo.

On the optional day, the meeting was punctuated by several outings revealing the cultural dimension of the project. An excursion to Otranto and Lecce was performed. The visitors visited many historical buildings and walked in the historic centres of the cities. They were informed about the history, architecture style and culture of the cities.

Beyond the halfway stage the partnership project is now running smoothly with a high degree of involvement from all.

 

Report written by Caner UGURLAR