Fryske Akademy (The Netherlands)
Coordinator
The Fryske Akademy (FA) is the scientific centre for research and education located in the province of Fryslân. The research it carries out ranges from: culture, history, linguistics, language learning, regional and economic development. The FA is home to the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning (MRC). The MRC focuses on several fields of research, amongst others on policy, education, multilingualism, language learning and minority languages and cultures. Related topics of research focus on language vitality and preservation, languages and minority communities in the digital era, social media use, intercultural dialogue, mobility related to language and culture, just to name but a few. Next to that, it has an important network function as member of many international networks: The MRC is leading member of the European Mercator Network which exists now for over 25 years, participates in the European Civil Society Platform, and in the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) to name but a few. The MRC is situated in a multilingual region in the Province of Friesland, the Netherlands. This region hence functions as a natural ‘laboratory’ to pilot and test, and to carry out research in its field of expertise, especially in the field of multilingualism, and to share this amongst other regions in Europe. The scope of activities of MRC are in general centred around the study, gathering, storing and distribution of information through a documentation and information network for regional and minority languages in the European Union. Other elements of the MRC are a database of experts in the wide field of: multilingualism, regional and minority languages, language learning technologies and language and minority policies. These experts are active in contributing to the MRC activities (e.g. seminars, conferences and the production of reports). For example, in collaboration with the international network of experts the MRC produces a series of Regional Dossiers that describe the position of lesser-used languages in education, and a series of language fact sheets that give brief overviews of language diversity in the member states of the European Union. The Mercator Research Centre (MRC) has proved its quality in several EU projects, including several LLP projects. The number of staff members often changes because of the flow of projects, but is normally between 5 and 9 FTE. The FA is home to MRC and has normally around 60 FTE.
Elhuyar Zubize (Spain)
Elhuyar Zubize (ZUBIZE) desarrolló hace 25 años el primer plan de euskera en el mundo empresarial, como resultado de un acuerdo con el Gobierno Vasco. Desde entonces, hemos diseñado, desarrollado y evaluado planes de euskera para más de 100 empresas e instituciones públicas.
Además de trabajos de consultoría lingüística, ZUBIZE realiza planes estratégicos y sectoriales, auditorías y herramientas de control, procesos para promover el uso de la lengua vasca y materiales útiles para el uso del euskera en el trabajo.
Actualmente, tenemos tres campos principales de actividad: el euskera, la igualdad entre mujeres y hombres y la participación. Nuestro principal objetivo es ofrecer servicios que conduzcan a la mejora basada en la participación y en la igualdad mediante el trabajo de la construcción colectiva en muchas esferas de la sociedad, con especial consideración hacia las lenguas minoritarias.
Banaiz Bagara Elkartea (Spain)
La Asociación Cultural Banaizbagara existe desde 2010 y en estos últimos cinco años ha tenido una amplia y rica experiencia en los campos de la enseñanza de la Lengua y la Cultura Vasca en un contexto de integración social y diversidad cultural. Se encuentra en San Sebastián y su sede está establecida en Tabakalera, el centro internacional de cultura contemporánea. La Asociación es sin fines lucrativos, financiada por instituciones públicas y cuenta con cinco empleados y unos diez profesores independientes asociados. En total, el trabajo de la asociación llega a alrededor de 240 participantes durante el año en unos 20 grupos diferentes de actividad. Además de la docencia, la asociación organiza diferentes eventos sociales como deportes, festivales o actividades culturales locales. Otra parte del trabajo consiste en cursos sobre aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo y habilidades de comunicación del euskera para los trabajadores migrantes en los campos de cuidado de personas, hostelería e industria y talleres durante la formación profesional en diferentes campos profesionales.
Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo “Danilo Dolci” (Italy)
Centre for Creative Development “Danilo Dolci” was established based on the experience of social and educational work carried out by Danilo Dolci and his collaborators, which started in Eastern Sicily back in 1952. The Centre stemmed from the need of offering the local communities a reality committed to practically solve the problems arise during regular meetings held with people, and in 1958 it was renamed as Centre of Studies and Initiatives for Full Employment, with the purpose of promoting economic and social development of the local territory In 1985 the Centre of Studies and initiatives is restructured in Centre for Creative Development, focusing more on non-violent education practices and contributing to the development of a methodology, the reciprocal maieutic, able to ease creative development at school and in the local territory. After the death of Danilo Dolci, in 1998, his name is given to the centre as a celebration of his strong inspirational impulse. At present, the Centre for Creative Development “Danilo Dolci” is a non-profit association involving young people and adults, which mainly acts through projects in the educational field carried out in cooperation with schools, universities, institutions, associations and social groups both at local and international level.
Axxell Utbildning AB (Finland)
Axxell is a training organization with about 3700 students and 350 employees which offers VET and independent studies both for youngsters and adults. Axxell operates in bilingual areas in Finland and because of that offers training programs both in Swedish and Finnish. Axxell is one of the significant integration training providers for adult migrants in Finland for almost 20 years. Annually about 1600 adult immigrants study in Axxell. A team of approx. 50 language and guidance teachers provide Finnish language training and career guidance for migrants in Axxell helping to integrate newcomers to Finnish society. In addition to integration training programs Axxell has special vocational training programs for adult migrants (e.g. business and administration, bus drivers, customer service, constructions etc.). During these programs migrant learners are obliged to learn also at least basics in other national language (Swedish). This is particularly important in bilingual areas because knowing at least basics in other national language is a prerequisite for entering to job market. Learning in parallel two languages and also vocational skills is challenging for migrants and sets high demands for the teacher. Therefore Axxell is committed to develop teachers´ didactical and pedagogical skills regularly.
Swansea University (United Kingdom)
Swansea University is an ambitious and innovative university with a bold and strategic vision. This year it was was voted best Welsh University of the year have been awarded the highest Research Excellent Framework rankings. We provide an educationally outstanding experience for our students. Driven by creativity and curiosity, we strive to fulfill our social, cultural and economic obligations to Swansea, Wales, and the world.
The Welsh Department at Swansea University is a dynamic and successful department, with research and teaching of the highest quality. The Department has been highly commended for the academic care it gives to its students. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework showed that the Department is 2nd in the UK, and the best in Wales, for the quality of its research. In addition to the quality of its research the submission achieved the maximum possible rating (100%) for its impact on the wider world.