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Description
The project foresees the creation of the Observatory for Hugh Abilities and capacity building in advocacy, as a platform for NGOs and public entities, which confront or dedicate themselves to the issues of giftedness and talent.
The platform aims for the theme of giftedness, talent and high abilities to be in the public domain and to mobilize legislative changes, right from the educational and social field, with children and young people with gifted characteristics and their families, working in the multiple areas of capacity and intellectual, motor, academic, social, artistic, mechanical and emotional activity, with a view to the integral development and social and school inclusion of these children and young people.
The Observatory for Hugh Abilities will be a platform of NGOs, an educational and academic/scientific community, free of charge and open to national and international entities, with a view to achieve a real knowledge of the situation of high abilities in Portugal, centralize of instruments and find intervention best practices to be made available to platform members and the general public, and to develop training actions for technicians and teachers.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several issues and challenges related to the support and inclusion of gifted children and youth in Portugal. Despite accumulated knowledge and international exchanges, there was a significant lack of awareness and understanding among teachers, educators, and psychologists regarding diagnostic tools and support methods for identified cases. Existing legislation also presented obstacles and gaps that hindered individual development and inclusion.
Even with numerous national and international congresses organized by ANEIS, involving participants from various continents, there was a substantial difficulty in the field for professionals, especially psychologists and teachers, to handle the challenges posed by gifted children. This often led to exclusion and severe depression, particularly when compounded by economic difficulties. NGOs dedicated to this issue faced a lack of information and training while being spontaneously challenged to expand their intervention territorially, revealing many unsupported cases of children and families.
The voluntary efforts of many professionals allowed for the creation of identification responses, enrichment programs, and consultancy, earning recognition from the European Council for High Ability. These efforts were also presented to the education committee of the Portuguese Parliament and government agents to push for legal changes in line with practices in Europe and Latin America.
The proposed Observatory for Giftedness and Talent (OST) aimed to be a platform for NGOs, the educational community, and the academic/scientific community. It sought to provide real knowledge about the situation of giftedness in Portugal, centralize tools and best practices for identification and intervention, and develop capacity-building actions for professionals.
The project began with a technical-scientific approach to create the Kit for Giftedness and Talent, offered in two versions for schools and families. The active methodology of the Observatory involved recipients, promoting creativity and sharing through awareness, participatory challenges, and role-play. Volunteers in all 20 Portuguese districts conducted surveys, identified best practices, and flagged cases. NGOs and the platform were crucial in raising awareness and creating validated products. The 21 members actively contributed, from setting priorities to monitoring.
The online platform was created, public presentations were held, and dissemination was carried out through media channels. The target audience included NGOs, public/private entities, and professionals dedicated to giftedness, aiming for integral development and social and school inclusion.
Advocacy was vital, empowering professionals and improving internal communication. Sharing difficulties in external communication and political awareness were notable outcomes. Each NGO developed strategies such as media exposure and cooperation protocols. The pandemic led to adjustments, with digital actions and a digital kit.
Materials produced included the Kit for Giftedness and Talent, the Observatory Platform, and the Final Evaluation Report, with the possibility of publishing a book after validation.
ANEIS promoted webinars and activities to highlight the importance of the Observatory. Sessions with municipalities, regional secretariats of Madeira and the Azores, and protocols with government entities underscored the project''s relevance.
In terms of results, the project achieved significant outcomes for various beneficiaries. The Observatory for Giftedness and Talent (OST) is now a platform composed of 21 NGOs from the educational and academic/scientific community, aiming to understand the situation of giftedness in Portugal. This platform, open to national and international entities, sought to centralize tools and best practices for identification and intervention, as well as develop the capacity of professionals and teachers. The OST conducted awareness and training activities in eight districts and the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores.
The project included the training of four NGOs in the area of advocacy, forming 12 professionals. The OST aimed to become an independent entity recognized by the Portuguese Government as a Permanent Observatory, with efforts underway to achieve this recognition. A highlight of the project was the development of the Kit for Giftedness, aimed at schools and parents, to raise awareness, identify, and support gifted children and youth. This tool established a connection between the Observatory and giftedness through the participating NGOs.
The advocacy training resulted in improved internal communication within organizations, the adoption of new collaboration tools, and the sharing of mission and internal objectives. The project management and reporting process enabled ANEIS to gain competencies to fulfill its mission. The OST highlighted the need to expand the platform''s scope and resources, as well as improve educational practices for gifted students.
Partnerships were established with the European Council for High Ability (ECHA) for project applications, aiming to replicate the concept and strengthen intervention capacity. These partnerships reinforced the focus on sustainable network intervention. The project partners ensured the continuity of the observatory, contributing different dimensions, experiences, scientific capacities, and working tools.