Notes from the sixth meeting of the PASCAL Learning Cities Networks “Reimagining Inclusive Economic Futures” (RIEF) on 13 April, 2021

Attendees: Judith James and Chris Shepherd, co-leads for the network; Rob Mark, Networks Coordinator, Pascal; Annie Tubadji, Swansea, Wales UK; Kristiina Erkkilä, Espoo, Finland; Michelle Murphy, Derry and Strabane Learning City; Jac Torres-Gomez, Wyndham, Australia; Shilpi Roy, Khulna University, Bangladesh; Palmira Jucevicienne, Kaunas, Lithuania.

Apologies: Leone Wheeler, Australian Learning Communities Network;  Diane Tabbagh, Wyndham, Australia; Bill Esmond, Derby University.

Future meetings/events were noted:

Global Learning Festival is scheduled -8^th-11^th November 2021 https://www.globallearningfestival.com/

It was agreed that the RIEF network would prepare an event for the Global Learning Festival. (See notes later).

Judith and Shilpi are doing a joint presentation on ‘Learning, Inclusion and Skills’ for Derby Learning City: “Learning Cities in development and sustainable recovery: International experiences and the Derby Learning City Campaign” on 19th May 2021.

Derry- A new programme “Resilio” to support mental health has been started- we will get feedback at the next meeting.

Judith James introduced the theme for discussion this meeting:

Resilience- responding to unexpected external crises.

Espoo - adults are working from home as well as coping with homeschooling - and so it is hard for them to keep up with their own learning. There is a need for small modules for continuous learning and Kristiina is undertaking a survey on the relationship between continuous learning and the new type of work with a regional development company.

Leone discussed competency-based learning – but there is a risk that the units can become overwhelming and lead to a tick-box situation. Jac contributed information about Wyndham’s work to build human capital and soft skills toolkits. Wyndham has taken Covid-19 as an opportunity for disruption and for reviewing the school system. They have also developed the Foundation for Young Australians, recognising that 21st-century skills are needed.

Annie explained that Swansea University is working to make the curriculum more flexible, with different points for enrolment in the year. They have also developed a safety net for students and staff requiring mental health support and an Academy, working with the NHS, to support all people working in health care.

Kaunas rearranged the school curriculum- the move to online forced teachers to change the way they work- the younger teachers have succeeded but some older teachers have retired. Kaunas has an ambitious project- to be the European City of Culture in 2022. There is a sub-project to teach IT to older adults who are isolated by the lack of these skills.

Rob told us about Dublin University, where staff development had created an event about organising online conferences.

Shilpi explained that in Pakistan the media is playing a huge role in disseminating information. This is not just about the pandemic- for example, in the rainy season, people can get information about potential flooding. In low-income neighborhoods, there are many climate migrants. NGOs try to help these people build assets – such as skills for work- so that people can get involved in activities and at the same time receive useful information. They have undertaken a health survey and people worry about antenatal care, birth control- there are many large families and information is related to resilience. Mothers can learn about child nutrition at day-care centres and schools. The pandemic has opened new ways of information sharing using mobile phones, which are relatively cheap and owned by most poor people now. This enables information about covid precautions to be disseminated, also using the television.  

Next, the group discussed the contribution to the Global Learning Festival and agreed to prepare:

• Pre-recorded interviews on the 4 themes of the network
• A panel of interviewees for “Question Time”
• A document for downloading with findings in brief and an appendix with links to useful references.

It was also agreed that we would work towards the development of a publication around our 4 themes, after the festival.  

Next Meeting topic: Network Plans for the PASCAL conference and the Global Learning Festival.  

Date: Tuesday 11^th May 2021 at 9am -10am UK time.