Author: Nikolina Frangoullidou

CARDET: 20 Χρόνια Καινοτομίας για την Ενίσχυση της Κοινωνίας μέσω της Εκπαίδευσης

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 15/10/2024. Posted in Media Highlights.

Σήμερα, 15 Οκτωβρίου 2024, το Ερευνητικό Κέντρο CARDET, γιορτάζει 20 χρόνια επιτυχημένης πορείας και διαρκούς ανάπτυξης, που το έχουν καταστήσει ως το κορυφαίο ανεξάρτητο μη-κερδοσκοπικό οργανισμό στην Κύπρο. Πιστό στις αξίες του και στην πεποίθηση ότι εκπαίδευση μπορεί να αποτελέσει θεμελιώδη πυλώνα αλλαγής και ενδυνάμωσης της κοινωνίας, το Κέντρο προωθεί καινοτόμες και επιδραστικές πρωτοβουλίες και δράσεις τόσο σε τοπικό όσο και σε διεθνές επίπεδο.

Βασισμένο στην εξειδίκευση της ομάδας του, που αποτελείται από πέραν των 70 ερευνητών και καταρτισμένων επαγγελματιών, το CARDET έχει υλοποιήσει δράσεις σε πέραν των 40 χωρών ανά την υφήλιο υποστηρίζοντας περισσότερα από τρία εκατομμύρια άτομα. Με συστηματική δουλειά και τεκμηριωμένες προσεγγίσεις, το Κέντρο στηρίζει την εκπαίδευση και την κατάρτιση, αναπτύσσοντας πρωτοποριακά εργαλεία και λύσεις που ενισχύουν την κοινωνία. Το πολυδιάστατο έργο του επεκτείνεται σε τομείς όπως η εκπαίδευση, η ψηφιακή μάθηση, τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα και η κοινωνική ενσωμάτωση, η υγεία και ευζωία, καθώς και η βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη και η επιχειρηματικότητα.

Ιδρυθέν το 2004, το CARDET έχει αναπτύξει σημαντικές συνεργασίες με κορυφαίους οργανισμούς και ιδρύματα από την Ευρώπη, την Αμερική και την Ασία, εμπλουτίζοντας την τεχνογνωσία του και ενισχύοντας την ικανότητά του να υλοποιεί αποτελεσματικές δράσεις. Σημαντικές συνεργασίες περιλαμβάνουν αυτές με τη Microsoft, την Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή και την UNICEF, ενώ το Κέντρο διατηρεί επίσης Μνημόνιο Συνεργασίας με το Yale School of Public Health.

Με αφορμή τη συμπλήρωση είκοσι χρόνων, ο Εκτελεστικός Διευθυντής του CARDET, Καθηγητής Χαράλαμπος Βρασίδας, δήλωσε: «Το CARDET ξεκίνησε με το όραμα να προάγει την εκπαίδευση ως δύναμη για θετική αλλαγή. Είκοσι χρόνια μετά, είμαι περήφανος που έχει καταφέρει να μετατρέψει το όραμα αυτό σε σημαντικές δράσεις με σημαντικό θετικό αντίκτυπο και ανυπομονώ, όπως και όλη η ομάδα μας, για νέες προκλήσεις και για τα επόμενά μας βήματα. Σκοπός μας είναι να συνεχίσουμε να δημιουργούμε ευκαιρίες μάθησης και να συμβάλλουμε σε έναν καλύτερο κόσμο για όλους. Σύντομα θα ανακοινώσουμε νέες συνεργασίες και πρωτοβουλίες που θα ενισχύσουν τη δράση μας στην κοινωνία».

Επιτυγχάνοντας αυτό το σημαντικό ορόσημο, το CARDET ανανεώνει τη δέσμευσή του να συνεχίσει να πρωτοπορεί και να καινοτομεί στην εκπαίδευση και την κοινωνική πρόοδο. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, το CARDET προγραμματίζει σειρά εθελοντικών δράσεων και πρωτοβουλιών μέσα στο 2024-2025, για ενίσχυση της κοινότητας με την επετειακή θεματική Twenty4Twenty.

Επισκεφθείτε την ιστοσελίδα του CARDET και μάθετε περισσότερα για τον οργανισμό και τις δράσεις του: https://cardet.org/

Switch Off Project Concludes with Workshop at KPMG

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 09/10/2024. Posted in Project News.

The Switch Off project recently hosted a successful workshop at a seminar organised by CARDET at KPMG, focusing on innovative strategies to promote digital wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance. The event brought together a diverse group of managers, team leaders, HR professionals, and remote workers.

A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the Switch Off Toolkit, designed to help employers and HR professionals implement best practices and policies that support employees in disconnecting from work outside of working hours. The toolkit also provides remote workers with practical tips for effectively managing digital technologies and reducing work-related stress during off hours.

Participants were introduced to the project’s training programme, which consists of seven modules offering valuable insights into creating a supportive work environment that respects the right to disconnect. These modules provide practical guidance for managers and HR professionals on responsible technology use and strategies to help their teams maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The seminar also showcased the project’s eLearning platform, a key resource developed to help both managers and employees enhance their digital wellbeing. This platform, soon to be available online, offers a wide range of learning materials and resources aimed at fostering healthier digital habits.

Lastly, attendees had the opportunity to explore the Self-Evaluation Tool, which provides personalised tips and allows both remote workers and managers to assess their current practices, identifying areas that may hinder their ability to improve work-life balance. Visit the site to explore resources that promote digital wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance!

Act Inclusive partner meeting in Nicosia

CARDET Hosts International Partners for ACT INCLUSIVE Project Meeting in Nicosia

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 07/10/2024. Posted in Project News.

In a continued effort to promote disability-inclusive education, CARDET recently welcomed partners from France, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, and Spain to Nicosia for the 3rd partner meeting of the ACT INCLUSIVE project. This initiative is dedicated to supporting educators by developing innovative resources to foster inclusive learning environments for all students.

Over the course of two highly productive days, project partners discussed the progress of key deliverables currently under development, including a comprehensive manual, a toolbox, and a comic book. These resources aim to equip educators with practical tools and strategies for better integrating students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms.

This meeting also marked a significant milestone in the project’s timeline, as partners laid the groundwork for a series of awareness-raising workshops to be held in schools across all participating countries: France, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, and Cyprus. These workshops, scheduled between January and April 2025, will engage teachers and students in conversations about the importance of inclusive education.

The ACT INCLUSIVE project continues to make strides in fostering more inclusive learning environments for children with disabilities across Europe. Follow the project’s facebook page for updates and upcoming events.

CARDET's participation at FortheCulture of Human Rights and the Rule of Law event

CARDET Participates in the #FortheCulture of Human Rights and the Rule of Law Event

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 04/10/2024. Posted in Blog.

It was a pleasure to participate in the #FortheCulture of Human Rights and the Rule of Law event, held on September 16-21, 2024, in Mollina, Spain. This event was part of the Long-Term Blended Training Course on Global Education and Education for Sustainable Development (LTTC on GE and ESD), an important initiative under the iLEGEND III project, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe.

Organized by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, the event aimed to highlight the connection between human rights, the rule of law, and sustainable development, addressing global challenges and inequalities at both local and global levels.

Event Highlights and Significance
Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event emphasized the integration of human rights and sustainable development across various dimensions, including gender equality, social justice, and environmental protection.

The Council of Europe, through the European Convention on Human Rights, plays a crucial role in ensuring respect for human rights across the continent. By supporting events like this, the Council of Europe strengthens the global commitment to a human rights-based approach to development.

CARDET’s Role and Vision
Our participation provided an opportunity for meaningful discussions with colleagues on empowering young people to actively address global challenges, particularly those related to the rule of law and sustainable development.

RALExILA project second partner meeting in Slovenia

Successful Second Partner Meeting of the RALExILA Project

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 03/10/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 30th to October 2nd, Slovenia served as the meeting point for the partners of the RALExILA project. The meeting focused on enhancing systems that support adult learning across Europe, particularly by developing National Registries for Adult Learning and Education (ALE) and integrating Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs).

The meeting unfolded in two distinct phases. The first 1.5 days were dedicated to a workshop centred on defining system requirements and modeling. Project partners, stakeholders, and leading experts in adult learning from across Europe collaborated in an interactive session to outline the essential features of these systems. Employing design thinking methodologies, the workshop prioritized understanding user needs and generating innovative solutions, resulting in comprehensive and user-friendly system requirements and information models for ALE registries.

On the final day, partners discussed research from several countries on how their national ALE systems and ILAs work. The group also began drafting a guide on quality assurance and governance, which will help set strong standards for ALE systems in Europe. CARDET contributed actively by presenting research findings from Cyprus and engaging in collaborative discussions to shape the future of adult learning systems.

Find out more about the project on its official website.

TUA project gathers young peoples interviews to develop a new toolkit

TUA Interviews Pave the Way for New Digital Toolkit for Youth with ASD/DS

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

We are thrilled to announce another significant milestone for the TUA (The Unexpected Artepreneur) project. Partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Portugal have successfully conducted a series of interviews with inspiring individuals who are using art and entrepreneurship to drive positive change in their communities.

These interviews featured young people with mental health disabilities who have turned to art for self-expression, artists who have used their craft to amplify their voices, and social entrepreneurs whose work serves as a model for those facing similar challenges.

The purpose of these interviews was to gather impactful stories, case studies, inspirational quotes, and best practices. These insights will be showcased in the upcoming TUA Digital Toolkit, a resource specifically designed for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS). The toolkit will offer essential guidance on using art and social entrepreneurship as powerful avenues for self-expression and social change.

The TUA Digital Toolkit will be an interactive, accessible resource aimed at empowering young people to channel their creativity into meaningful action. It will consist of three practical guides:

Guide 1: How to Become an Artist?
Guide 2: How to Express My Thoughts Through Art?
Guide 3: How to Become an Artrepreneur?

By combining art with social entrepreneurship, the toolkit will equip young individuals with the tools they need to become agents of change in their communities. Stay tuned for the release of this transformative resource by visiting the project’s website!

Successful Conclusion of the YOWO Project Meeting in Famagusta

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The YOWO (Young Workforce) project has reached a significant milestone in its mission to combat social exclusion among young people, especially graduates facing challenges in securing employment that aligns with their qualifications and aspirations. On September 26th and 27th, Famagusta, Cyprus hosted a pivotal event that brought together 19 participants from seven countries for a series of study visits, workshops, and final discussions as the project nears its completion.

Highlights of the Event

The gathering featured a workshop that highlighted the labor market experiences of young participants, facilitating an invaluable exchange of insights. Attendees also showcased the project’s outcomes and best practices to representatives from local, regional, national, and international institutions.

This multiplier event served not only to disseminate the project’s results but also to lay the groundwork for its sustainability phase. This ensures that the knowledge and initiatives cultivated during YOWO’s implementation will continue to support young men and women facing employment challenges. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all partners to pursue solutions that enhance youth employment and promote gender equality on both local and international scales.

Project’s Key Achievements and Objectives

Throughout its implementation, YOWO has focused on:

Identifying Challenges: Shedding light on the difficulties faced by young people in securing employment.
Fostering Dialogue: Encouraging discussions among partners from various European nations to develop common solutions.
Engaging NEETs: Involving young people who are not in education, employment, or training in initiatives designed to connect them with European policies and opportunities.
Advocating for Equality: Promoting equal opportunities in the labor market and addressing the gender gap that disproportionately affects women.

The project’s activities have successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, strengthened partnerships, and shared best practices to combat youth unemployment and labor inequality. For more information on the project visit its website.

COSERE Study Visit Fosters Collegiality and Shared Leadership in Schools

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 16-20, 2024, the COSERE project held a study visit in Tbilisi, Georgia, co-organized by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development and CARDET. The visit aimed to enhance collegiality in schools by exploring best practices such as shared leadership and the concept of a critical friend.

Participants had the opportunity to visit schools in Tbilisi and Ilia State University, exchanging insights and observing how collegial support systems are implemented across various educational settings. This study visit marks another milestone in COSERE’s ongoing mission to transform educational environments by empowering educators and fostering a culture of mutual support.

Following earlier COSERE study trips to Ireland and Italy, this visit continues to advance the project’s vision of expanding collegial support across Europe. Engaging headteachers, educators, and key stakeholders, COSERE emphasizes peer collaboration, shared leadership, and mutual support—moving beyond traditional mentoring, coaching, and inspections.

For more information on the COSERE project and its upcoming initiatives, please visit the website here.

COSERE – Collegial Support for Resilience and Growth in Education

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Projects & Initiatives.

Collaboration is essential on all levels of our lives and this is why it has been named as a core future competence in the 4C model. Based on evidence, teachers may perform better when working together professionally, by forming learning and support communities. With collegial support being critical for resilience and growth in education, COSERE project seeks to establish the significance and the grounds of collegiality in education as a good practice of any contemporary school culture.

To be more specific, the project’s objectives are the following:

To identify the needs of educational leaders in their effort to enhance the culture of collegial support and peer-based learning in schools, in order to create a Handbook on how to sustain different forms of collegial support;
To enhance the understanding of various support forms and their impact on staff & school development, and to gain practical experience of using the diverse techniques and methods through a CPD course;
To share the best practices among consortium partners and deepen their knowledge.

Inclusive Hubs project concludes with the hybrid final conference

Inclusive Hubs Project Concludes in Finland with Final Conference

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The Inclusive Hubs project reached its conclusion with a final meeting and hybrid conference held on the 24th and 25th of September, hosted by Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland. This event brought together project partners and key stakeholders to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable strides made in advancing inclusion within schools across Europe.

The conference highlighted the project’s significant achievements, with partners presenting key outcomes. Teachers from various countries shared their firsthand experiences of working with migrant students and participating in the initiative. Notable keynote speakers included Dr. Lucie Cerna, Senior Analyst in Equity, Inclusion, and Transitions at the OECD’s Directorate for Education and Skills, and Pamela-Zoe Topalli, Policy Officer at the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

A dedicated panel on student and teacher wellbeing featured insights from a school psychologist, a school coach, and a representative from the Swedish Parent Association in Finland. This panel emphasized the critical importance of mental health and wellbeing for both students and educators in fostering inclusive educational environments.

We hope the insights and outcomes of the Inclusive Hubs project will continue to inspire and guide future efforts toward building inclusive education systems across Europe. To learn more about the project and access the learning materials developed throughout its course, click here.