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Description
The main goal of the project is the professional development of employees of the University of Silesia in Katowice in the field of education on the well-being of children in an international perspective. This objective is important for the participants from the point of view of their professional development, for the applicant''s institution due to the educational needs and the scope of the currently conducted research, as well as from the point of view of bilateral cooperation. The University of Iceland was selected as the host institution as one of the most important actors in the discussion on child welfare education in Europe, whose experience and current research and educational activities guarantee the achievement of the project objectives.
These goals are: acquiring by the participants of study visits the knowledge on the protection of children and policy towards children in Iceland, getting acquainted with the research directions of the host institution, getting acquainted with the methodology used by this institution in the field of childhood and youth education, and the implementation of the rights of children and youth. and problems of policy towards children and youth; improving the educational offer in the field of children''s well-being as part of the social studies program conducted at the University of Silesia in Katowice and increasing the level of internationalization of the University. The project is also aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with the host institution on the exchange of research experiences and future initiatives, research directions to be shared, as well as identifying and discussing the possibilities of cooperation in the field of children''s and youth''s well-being and their protection.
Summary of project results
Meetings with researchers from University of Iceland Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Education and Diversity where areas of research interesting for both sides both done as well as planned were presented. Discussion on problems met in both countries in existence and researching phenomena and problems of childhood, in particular on violence against children. Discussion on the possibilities of overcoming some problems in researching violence against children in the face of social and cultural characteristic of both countries. Discussion on the impact of the CIVID-19 pandemic on the situation of children, on the problem of domestic violence against children and possibilities to help them in Iceland and Poland.
Listening to lectures given by researchers of University of Iceland and the child protection agency representative about the character and problems of the policy and the system of child protection in Iceland with a discussion about comparisons between polish and icelandic systems.
Participating in a workshop run by a researcher of UI on ethical and procedure aspects of participation of children in research and methodological possibilities in this area. Discussion on the sense and challenges of the full participation of children in research processes. Workshop meeting with researchers of UI on the possibilities of finding shared research topics in the perspective of comparatist research. Meeting with discussion between Polish and Icelandic researchers about developing and improving institutional cooperation between both universities in the area of research in social sciences but also regarding didactic competences and also in the area of sharing experiences of the university management of the policy of equity and diversity in both entities.
Summary of bilateral results
Based on the previously established contact with the researcher from the Host Institution, after presenting to the Host Institution the opportunities for cooperation created by the Program with a preliminary plan for the purpose and activities of the visit, approval was obtained from the Host Institution to participate in the Program upon contact. Within the framework of the Program and in accordance with the plan of activities in the submitted project, cooperation was undertaken - a correspondence discussion ( e-mails) with the representative of the Host Institution, which was aimed at developing a common position on the specific objectives of the visit and its course and its organizational aspects. The essential part of this phase of cooperation was an online meeting during which mutual expectations and duties related to the implementation of the project were clarified. In the subsequent phase, the cooperation maintained email correspondence on the activities expected and possible during the visit. As a result, the Host Institution presented the final proposal for the agenda of cooperation and educational activities for the visit participants and proposed some organizational solutions. The proposal was approved by the participants. During the visit, the realized activities implementing cooperation proceeded as planned and were fulfilled 100% and in accordance with the time plan. The cooperation implemented during the visit was summarized at the end of the visit and the dates and content of further stages of cooperation were established, including an online evaluation meeting and another meeting dedicated to clarifying the common research topic in comparative terms.