"Literary education at school is a powerful vehicle for decolonizing a strong Eurocentric vision, incapable, that is, of knowing and feeling the other - even within the cultural traditions - not as a threat, but as an opportunity for new and often unpredictable exchanges "

The Free Thinking Programme for Survivors of Modern Slavery allows victims of modern slavery and human trafficking to gain an education and enjoy part-time residency on campus at Northern College. The second of a series of blog posts about the programme, this piece provides an insight into the experiences of one of the students, who gives thanks to her educators and describes her feelings concerning her status as a modern slavery survivor. Educators working with vulnerable groups may find this blog psot beneficial for better understanding the trauma that some learners have to cope with and to help them provide the best learning experience. 

Jim Sheehan is Director of The Social and Health Education Project (SHEP). SHEP is a community education and development project founded in 1974 that is active in Cork, Kerry and Limerick. SHEP have used Erasmus+ Adult Education funding to support staff training and professional development since 2014.  Jim shares SHEP’s experience of using Erasmus+, and his advice for  organisations considering getting involved.

Georgina Heffernan is Communications Manager with Capacity Ireland, a community-based vocational training organisation that provides work placements in Creative Industries, Digital Media and Community Development through Erasmus+ VET Mobility funding. Georgina is a former journalist and magazine editor, who has received the Gladys McNevin Trophy for PR excellence from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. In this post, she discusses why Capacity Ireland use participant case studies in their dissemination strategy and gives advice on how to tailor content to reach different audiences.

EU validation visions meet reality in the discussions of the National NVL Validation Network in Finland. The Network plays an important role in disseminating, criticising and improving validation policy at national level.