Learning for Well-being Conference - 27 February 2012

The Learning for Well-being Consortium of Foundations in Europe successfully launched its policy glossary ‘Learning for Well-being; A Policy Priority for Children & Youth in Europe. A process for change' on 27 February 2012 at the Palais des Academies. Please click on the link above to download the Glossary. The Consortium organised the conference in partnership with Eurochild, the European Foundation Centre and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and supported by grants from the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Evens Foundation and Universal Education Foundation.

 

Participants were invited to spend the day being inspired...sharing ideas ... participating in discussions about shifting the way we think about children and young people, about education, health and the social sphere. Over 150 participants from many countries across Europe attended the one-day conference. They represented a range of organizations (foundations, NGOs, research, government, EU, European Parliament, OECD, etc.) and came from different fields and policy sectors (education, youth, social welfare, health, ITC, human rights, etc), all of which contribute to changing learning environments and encourage a multi-sector approach to systemic change.
  
During the plenary sessions, Ilona Kickbusch- the author of the glossary- presented its key messages and recommendations. Linda O’Toole guided the participants through the Learning for Well-being framework, explaining the approach to well-being from the perspective of individuals and societies as whole systems. Debates took place with key influencers from various sectors, who discussed policy messages and their implications for European society. A time was also allotted for participants to ask questions and share comments about the glossary.

The timing of the sessions and the methods for presenting content were designed to engage participants in a variety of ways. Light, healthy meals and breaks were spread through the programme to sustain higher levels of energy and participation. Parallel workshops were organised in the afternoon to explore the key messages of the Policy Glossary. They were led by facilitators using participative and experiential methods, fully engaging participants in the discussion. It comprised the active participation of foundations, NGOs and youth organisations. Each workshop’s group of participants represented the diversity of sectors and disciplines.

Materials from organisations in the Learning for Well-being NGO Alliance and/or associate partners were available for presentation and consultation. During the meals, the Foundations had stands in the dining area where participants could engage with them about their projects and initiatives that support Learning for Well-being.

The conference was envisioned as a learning environment to express the underlying principles of Learning for Well-being, and certain elements were incorporated to engage participants in various ways. For example, light, healthy meals and breaks were spread out through the programme to sustain higher levels of energy and participation. Participants were also invited to partake in a signing group activity that stimulated expression, facilitated by Marianne Sebastien- the Founding President of Fondation Voix Libres Internationale. At the end of the afternoon, participants enjoyed a stimulating musical and artistic performance, after which they were invited to partake in a farewell cocktail with interviews by young journalists about their impression of the day’s events.
For more information about the policy glossary or to discuss collaboration or partnership opportunities around Learning for Well-being, please contact the Consortium secretariat in Paris at gordon@eiesp.org or arjomand@eiesp.org. You can also contact the Learning for Well-being office in Brussels at luis@learningforwellbeing.org.


We are happy to provide below a list of dowloadeable materials given to conference participants:

- Introduction of the Learning for Well-being Consortium of Foundations
- L4WB brochure & L4WB booklet
- Overview of L4WB policy imperatives, process approach & framework
- Biographies of participating foundations
- Biographies of conference speakers & panelists
- Conference Programme 
- Opening presentation by Daniel Kropf, Consortium Chair
- Presentation of Policy Glossary by Ilona Kickbusch, Author
- Presentation of Learning for Well-being framework by Linda O'Toole, UEF
- Presentation of Elham Palestine by Marwan Awartani, UEF
- Document about the participant Kanga bags & the ayurvedic food served at conference



Click here to download the Policy Glossary.  Below is the Conference Flyer & Programme.