Learn from the experiences of others

As part of the webinar, participants are split into breakout rooms where they are joined by EPALE ambassadors Sverre Helge Bolstad, Dörte Stahl and Greet Vissers to speak about their own experiences.

Each speaker gives their own insight as educators on the skills most valuable for life and work. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about their personal stories and gather inspiration from their anecdotes and different perspectives.

Experience 1 by Sverre Helge Bolstad

Sverre Helge Bolstad works in Bergen Public Library, Norway. He explains that the role of libraries in Norway changed by law in 2014, by not only providing access to information, books and media, but by also promoting education and dissemination of cultural knowledge.

Libraries in Norway quickly adapted to their new role in society, with particular emphasis on adult learning. Sverre explains that the library naturally caters to a more traditional style of learning through study and books, but that new ways of learning have been introduced. These include movie clubs, debates and concerts.

Bergen Library focuses on building skills in different areas, for example language and literacy, digital and sustainable skills. Sverre views the role of the library as more than just a place where people can acquire knowledge, but a place to develop their personality as a whole and connect with others. He hopes that learners at the library will use their base of knowledge and culture to become social, independent and confident citizens.

Experience 2 by Dörte Stahl

Dörte Stahl is a freelance trainer, educator and lecturer based in Germany. She shares her thoughts on important life and work skills from a German perspective.

Dörte talks to the group about taking action. She says that being able to act, wanting to act and being allowed to act are essential prerequisites for learning.

Dörte believes that different competencies are essential in order to be able to shape change. Competencies that Dörte sees as necessary for life and work are:

• Media competence
• Communication and collaboration
• Creativity and problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Learning competence
• Flexibility
• Resilience

In Dörte’s opinion, some Germans lack these competencies. Some of the reasons for this may be the low level of digitisation in the education system and the German focus on quantifiable intelligence, such as testable knowledge.

However, Dörte remains hopeful about the changing of structures in the German system to facilitate increased learning competencies. It is her belief that for growth, we must act and accept changes, whether they be our own set ways of thinking or the systems and structures we have become familiar with.

Experience 3 by Greet Vissers

Greet Vissers has been active as a theatre director in Belgium for over 30 years and boasts a wealth of experience as a theatre director and artistic leader. In 2011, she founded kunstZacademie, an alternative education programme for immigrants.

Greet starts off by expanding more on kunstZacademie, which is based in Antwerp and has approximately 150 members of culturally diverse backgrounds who are passionate about working in the cultural field. Some of these members include performers, choreographers, writers and photographers.

kunstZacademie offers these people a free space to find their own artistic voice. They champion participation with all members of society, particularly through performances and projects with young people and children. They also hold public performances and offer training in acting, voice acting and dance.

kunstZacademie aims to build a bridge between professionals and talent from diverse backgrounds. They also offer logistic, financial and artistic support tailored to each artist for them to excel in the creative field.

Read The Most Important Life and Work Skills in 2021 and Beyond - Part 3 HERE.