Cedefop handbook on National Guidance Forums – findings and key messages

Peer learning event

Thessaloniki June 4-5, 2008

Dr. Søren Kristensen

TECHNE

”Coming together – establishing and developing national lifelong guidance policy forums. A manual for policy makers and stakeholders”

Dr. Søren Kristensen

Dr. John McCarthy

Prof. Tony Watts

National forums:

- Experiences going back to the 80s/90s (DK, FIN, UK)

- New impetus with the advent of lifelong learning strategies

- Manual a ”snapshot” of a rapidly developing field!

The field:

- Very diverse situations in Member States: no ”blueprint” for all

- Descriptive rather than prescriptive approach

- No clear-cut definition of the term!

Data extraction for the manual:

- Situation fluid: information in the making- Power struggles: questions of reliability

and validity- Patchwork of sources- Final quality check by ELGPN

Terms of reference: parameters

- Improving communication- Encouraging collaboration- Identifying citizen needs- Improving service quality- Influencing policy- Benefiting from international cooperation

Organisational issues:

- Status- Membership- Resourcing- Steering & day-to-day coordination- Decision-making processes

Key messages:

- Why 10?- Determined by input from actors &

stakeholders- Must not be conflictual with the

descriptive approach adopted!- May change over time

Key messages:

1. Clear connection to lifelong learning and employability strategies

2. Shared definitions and terminology

3. Selectivity in determining representation (actors, stakeholders)

4. Clearly identified tasks and roles

5. Strong commitment from all

Key messages:

6. Clarification of relationship with government

7. Independent secretariat/ring-fencing of tasks and functions

8. Mission drift9. Role conflict between forum and members10. Perspective: the viewpoint of the

individual citizen!

Follow up of manual:

1. Establishing definition!

2. Developing information with qualitative studies

3. Updating of manual (examples, experience)