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Review: FOCUS ON EUROPE 2014 and beyond

“Ethical learning – sustainable living”

From the 28th to the 30st of

October 2014 the Catholic

University College of Education

Graz puts its focus especially on

Europe and beyond. This year

Focus on Europe was held in

cooperation with the European

project Ethos. Ethos stands for

„Ethical education for a

sustainable and dialogic future“

and has given this conference its

headline “Ethical learning –

sustainable living“. More than 50

lecturers from 16 different

countries were examining this field in the internatinal context of education and teaching.

The Ethos project members served as experts for the mumerous discussions and workshops.

Another important goal of the international Days was to intensify professional networks and

the cooperation in research among partner universities. It was a special pleasure to have

Eight Japanese guests and partners here at our meeting and to widen our scoupe also

beyond Europe. This review will summarise some important outputs and a lot of

impressions, that may to motivating all participants to continiu work and discussions on the

topics of Ethos projects.

Best regards

The International Office

Team of CUCE/KPH Graz

28.10. - 30.10.2014,

Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Graz

Lange Gasse 2, 8010 Graz

www.kphgraz.at

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Openig ceremony, Tuesday, 28th of October 2014

More or less 200 of special guest, colleagues from all over Europe and Japane, teacher

colleagues and students shared the opening ceremony of “Focus on Europe 2014” in the

beautiful festival hall of the Augustimum. A number of speacers guided the participants to

the common topic of the conference “Ethical learning – sustainable living”. The head of the

University College Council Christian Leibnitz greeted all with the words: “It is a great pleasure

to have guests and partners from different cultures and religions here, because dialoge is the

basic for peaceful and successful lifing in Europe and beyond.”

The Erasmus students introduced themselfes with a cheerfus dance act and they made all

guests dance and groove.

The musicians of “Brass and more” and the students of the College for Social Education

made the opening ceremony very solemly.

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Keynote speaker Stnako Gerjolj: Ethics for a personal and dialogic process of being

(summery by Veronika Schweiger-Mauschitz)

1. “Motivation, emotion and cognition are three fundamental mental operations. All three of

them are connected to the emotional learning which is an integral learning and teaching

process. It includes all dimensions of life – not only cognitive learning but also body,

emotionality, culture, spirituality and religion.”

2. The brains center for the sense of smell is essential for emotionsl intelligence and

responsible for learning and memory (Goleman 1997,33).

4. The contents of moral education is related to seben main virtues: Empathy, Conscience,

Self-Control, Respect, Kindness,

Tolerance and Fairness. The first

three represent the “moral core”

of ethical education (Borba 2001,9)

5. “The first and decisive step

towards strengthening moral

education regarding respect is

made when we ourselves respect

the child. Kindness is the result of

empathy and takes care of the well being of others.

Tolerance first teaches us to respect and accept in principle and then to allow and even

encourage diversity, in particular to overcome stereotypes and prejudices.

RespectKindness Tolerance Fairness

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Faireness is a virtue intended to foster justice in the framework of moral education.

Faireness allow open, ongoing and uncomplicated communication.” (Borba 2001,)

6. “A new philosophy of education” presupposes a sensitive, in-depht, positive and creatively

optimistic communication!

Keynote-Speaker Bruno Curko spoke about “Philosophising with children”

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ETHOS_ABC-Reflections to the Round Table Talk during ETHOS

from Maria Petek

An authentic attitude in teaching

and bonding, the fundament of common learning,

as some central topics in childhood

so that devotion to the different professions

leads to ethics as shown in the impressive project of ETHOS

with friendship

and gentle impulses

in a holistic way of learning

when inclusive competences

and joyful working

form the key to development

and lead to the growth

of moral values

as a nutrition

for open-minded people

with questions

a lot of respect and responsibility

a sense of humor

and tolerance for everyone

as meant by the ZULU-word „UBUNTU“ (which means: I am because you are – you are because I am)

many variations and different methods for everyday teaching

so much wisdom to share

no xenophobic thinking

for the best to the youth

of the ZUKUNFT (future)!

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Strahovnik Vojko presents ETHOS (Round table talk)

Project Ethos – Ethics andvalues in schoolsVojko StrahovnikUniversity of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology

Project ETHOS is funded by the European

Commission, Comenius Programme.

International conferenceFOCUS ON EUROPE 2014: Ethics and education

KPH Graz; Graz, Austria 28.-30. October 2014

Project Ethos – Ethics andvalues in schoolsVojko StrahovnikUniversity of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology

Project ETHOS is funded by the European

Commission, Comenius Programme.

International conferenceFOCUS ON EUROPE 2014: Ethics and education

KPH Graz; Graz, Austria 28.-30. October 2014

Ethics education and contemporary society

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recognized importance of early childhood education

ethics education, critical thinking, dialogue and interculturalcompetencies have a significant role in forming an ethically mature human person

dialogical and communal nature of ethics and ethics education; openness toward the other

Project Ethos: Partnership

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University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology (Slovenia); Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Graz (Austria); Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg -Innovation in Learning Institute (Germany); Amitié, Bologna (Italy); Scienter CID (Spain); Primary school Šmartno v Tuhinju (Slovenia); Udruga za promicanje iunaprjeđivanje filozofije za djecu 'Mala filozofija'-Association Petit Philosophy (Croatia) and Inova 4T - Tuzla Technology Talent Tolerance (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Project Ethos: Aims, target groups and implementation

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analyzing the existing state of the art of ethics education in participatingcountries and EU as a whole

clearly defining the needs of the teachers/educators, as well as pupils and their parents

methodological guidelines

educational tools and materials

curricula proposals

support and advocacy

Project Ethos: Partnership

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University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology (Slovenia); Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Graz (Austria); Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg -Innovation in Learning Institute (Germany); Amitié, Bologna (Italy); Scienter CID (Spain); Primary school Šmartno v Tuhinju (Slovenia); Udruga za promicanje iunaprjeđivanje filozofije za djecu 'Mala filozofija'-Association Petit Philosophy (Croatia) and Inova 4T - Tuzla Technology Talent Tolerance (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Educational approach and educational materials

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five key topics: respect, tolerance, responsibility, values, and friendship

thematic toolboxes for teachers

age groups 3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-11, 11-14

instructions, skills, intelligences

methodological guidelines

teachers as rolemodels

curricula proposals

Code of ethics for schools

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as a special tool for ethics reflection and relationships

based on inclusive approach where participants (teachers, pupils and parents) are invited to use their ethical reflection and “set the rules” of mutual respect, order, and goals

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Piloting feedback9

“Working with the materials was nice, since students got to know also ‘some of the other sides’ of the teacher that areusually not reveal and we could together discus some more deep and important topics”;

“Some children were very touched by the story, particularly a girl that has recently suffered a close and severe personal loss, there were also tears, so we had to discuss the theme deeply not just on the surface.”

Piloting feedback10

“I tried ‘Mein bester Freund‘ –‘my best friend’ (7-9) with 7 - 8 years old students. Always, when we had a conflict, we remembered, what is important for a friend. So we could find good solutions; we could articulate, what a friend likes and what doesn’t.

“The students were very open and they put on their thinking caps. They were motivated to philosophize. I was surprised about the creativity of their thoughts and how trustful they were searching for answers. ”

Piloting feedback

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“Students discussed lively. In the combination between the ppt and the biblical book Ruth students were rethinking their attitudes about friendship: They got more empathic and tried to get into the perspective of a friend. They opened their hearts and spoke of personal things.”

“I have to be attentive to include all of the students into the discussion. Girls were very active and liked that the teaching hours was more relaxed and that they could express their opinions. Boys were also active, but I had to be very attentive that we did in fact stick to the topic and not lead the discussion too far away.” ”

“Mostly students did not think about these topics before and the discussion was interesting. I was surprised how differently they ranked various values (also form the way I would have ranked them), most of them put friendship and love at the top.”

A big thanks to teachers and

pupils, who participated!

Conclusion

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overall we strive to begin with the creation of a wide network of teachers in the field of ethics education

achieving mutual respect of diversity, open and democratic society of dialogue and ecological awareness

ET2020: promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship by promoting intercultural competences, democratic values and respect for fundamental rights and the environment, as well as combat all forms of discrimination, equipping all young people to interact positively with their peers from diverse backgrounds.

Contact13

www.ethos-education.eu

www.facebook.com/ethoseducationethos@ethos-education.eu

Vojko StrahovnikUniversity of Ljubljana,

Faculty of Theology, Poljanska 4, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

vojko.strahovnik@teof.uni-lj.si

Thank you for your attention.

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Dialogue and discussion: Round table talk (summerised by Kelly Nodurfth)

Sola Pier Giacomo Amitié SRL,Bolonga

Not involved in education- instead be a facilitator. When teachers have to work on this issue, something else always has priority and this is why ETHOS is important

Live in philosophical world and be in comparison with children

When daughter was young, a real community, how is my daughter reacting to community and she was fine to have a specific role, moral priorities

To facilitate is inside us

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There are two images on the poster

The first image is daughter but not my daughter because she is grown, rather someone else’s daughter and was asked what is friendship

They said friendship is to trust each other so you don’t have to check everything that is said and love each other without pretending

2nd picture really necessary for life and promote mutual life with each other and be completely confident

This was message because sense that kids are emotional Kragić Marija and Ćurko Bruno Association “Petit Philosophy” and Institute of Philosophy in Zagreb Croatia

Developed of education

We have a job to make materials and main problem is to motivate kids to think about ethical issues

Alien comes on PowerPoint and asks kids questions

Talks about laziness and values

Maria drew the alien and the bee

The bee is for younger kids

11 year olds like cartoons and they talk with kids

Thinking stories and educational games

5 and 6 year olds came to regular workshops and deal with schools and teacher decided to have 10 materials regular in schools every 2 weeks and they like feedback from kids

Little girls cry when saw him and they would like if he came back Kreß Kerstin and Schlenk Evelyn Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nuemberg Germany

7-8 countries focus group, online questionnaires for parents and teachers

Lots of feedback and what do you want kids to learn at school and which values

They were all the same

Tolerance, responsibility, moral values, environment…..

How can we make tools from that

ETHOS website and download what was said in each country

Methodical guidelines for teacher so each teacher can create ethical materials for different ages

Teachers were eager and like to teach kids ethics and like idea of producing more material

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Biberkić Kenan Inove4T Bosnia and Herzegovina

I don’t have much experience

No poster so I have a story instead

Girl and had workshop at school about 9-10 years old with diabetes

So they made a workshop on tolerance and friendship to let kids understand each other

She had different needs and after the workshop kids said they didn’t know how hard it was for this girl to live with diabetes and get to school

So idea of teaching kids tolerance is very important

Teachers should pay attention to teaching topics in school

Glad to participate Franz Feiner

Continue something about Bosnia and H

Great course held at University

Most were Muslims and interesting to work inter-religiously

Very important to remember to give other Universities a chance to participate

Very thankful for this opportunity

Very good feedback

Additional project for example the water project and this was chance to educate young researchers and developers

Köchl Martin and Baunagl Barbara Catholic University College of Education Graz Austria

4 pictures were developed from school

One picture worked with Jupiter guy about friendship

Picture from Baraba’s class

Worked with topic friendship and with book Ruth from the bible

2nd picture was project in the primary school

Puppets 15 hours

They made puppets and played by themselves

Her bachelors project work- easier to play with puppet then alone

Last picture I made a bachelors project

Work with children in 8-9th level and how can I work with main topics and with the bible so developed a project titled violence against solitary team

We are at the end, it was a great help to have input from ETHOS and were are thankful for it Tomas Smole

Poster wasn’t project- all teachers had activities with ETHOS project

I am a sociology and history teacher

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Used materials of Bruno

Trying best and interesting to cooperate with other members in project Maria Fasching

What is ethical learning for you

Have you thought about it?

Used it in lectures or daily work Kl’uska Branislav

1st idea was good that concept of ethical learning but all speakers talked about kids in kindergarten and appreciate concept and that it is human/child centered

Our experience in Slavkia and it is a political issue and church political issue

Pupils have to choose ethics and religious education and therefore ethics is necessary

And catholic university is dangerous to tell

Try to incorporate ethical learning in literature and other subjects Mölleken Helga University of Wuppertal Germany

Not a teacher

Inclusion in schools

Problems with inclusion because teachers didn’t learn how to come over it and people aren’t always with children

Only once a week then alone with kids

How can kids learn topics because teachers never learned how to come over that

30 kids in class

Very good idea but institutions should help teachers Hollerer Luise

Teacher training

Tried to find out attitude of teachers according to teacher training

8 countries well trained teachers

Attitude toward teaching is different because teacher training at level you know and try to teach teachers how to integrate and have conversations about ethics in classes and results

Attitudes of teachers and University trained teachers

University trained teachers gave experiences to kids and other trained teachers gave ______

Important to realize that must have ways to bring new teacher training Bogdanowicz Ewa

In Poland, Code of Ethics

What is behind that and find out how post socialism disease

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Socialism still works in society and prevents us from certain things, religious education, and kids learn social skills

Made books for religious education Becker Lars Leibniz University Hannover Germany

Work with children who can’t live at home because parents are druggies or alcoholics

Kids are broken in many ways

Friendships aren’t easy because they aren’t “good kids”

Connections to teachers aren’t good because they were kicked out

Trust issues

Only responsibility to get food and have sense good results mixing them up with refugees

Refugees have high standard of value

So their church send refugees to Europe and they have high moral value and very effective

Kids from Africa very deep religious background

Kids from Africa very deep religious background

You can take friendships everywhere

Parents can die and only have trust for others

German kids can learn from refugees

Successful life

Life can be managed

How can kids succeed through hardships

Putting them with another group Bercin Ferit Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun Turkey

Congratulate workers

Teaches at university

Do teach how to and what to teach?

It is our responsibility to but if they don’t know how to teach adequately so what

What teacher taught them?

Should teach teachers good information about ethics and ethical learning Strahovnik Vojko University of Ljubljana Slovenia

don’t misunderstand me

not proposing holistic approach

ethical decisions raise hand or not to raise hand

how best to approach this in Slovenia

have projects where kids leave school

the 1st 2 weeks we dedicate just to rules, even one problem group

whoever is late has to bring cookies for the whole class

very simple rule and can show respect and responsibility

not so formal

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Ingeborg Trappe-Butzbach

institute for inclusion

to teach respect

kids with handicaps and different racial background

teachers must learn level of pupil

to understand inclusion in Germany

we only talk about money

not my opinion

nothing to do with money but rather in your head

sensible for parents and teachers together

cooperation is best Franz Feiner

necessitates in education and teaching institutions Maria Fasching

pays off to use introduction time for kids to use 1st time to get to know each other

code of ethics and take time for that

different teachers in different subjects

this time is not a waste Veronika Schweiger-Mauschitz

one problem in ethics is interdisciplinary subject

so everyone has to do it so no one does it

so should start in teaching institutions

how to everything

like to teach ethics in interdisciplinary form Slovenia large man with gray sweater

teaching ethics is very hared

because what will I gain in students’ time

most importantly is who you are

must be ethical person

not just teaching rather being Sola Pier Giacomo Amitié SRL,Bolonga Italy

ethics is philosophical subject

ethical subject ever studied in physics

Because atoms are separated and knowledge of ethical basis….

Target to train teachers if we teach any ethics, then we have succeeded Ikuyo Wakayama

In Japan, kindergarten

Moral education is very important

And cooperation is very important

Kids grow in moral cooperation

Cooperation with friends

In Japan, evaluation is very important and when we evaluate kids,

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Becker Lars Leibniz University Hannover Germany

Not only about what we teach but how we teach it

Behave as teacher but when a kid is reading badly and a teacher rolls her eyes

Everything is in the toilette Pokorny Svenja Amitié SRL, Bologna Italy

Role model teachers have

We are all miserable

Everyone has problems and can’t ask teachers to be perfect

But at least be honest with self and listen to own inner voice Iris Šmidt-Pelaji

Teacher at Fac of teacher education

Importance of how we are as people and our behavior

For kids at university level

Immature students who have complexes about something

Must react in a good way so students see how adults act

So no bullying and respect each other

Show them you can see insecurity but will accept it

They are accepted but bad behavior is not

Education of future teachers in Germany

Think that we have potential in literate to bring up ethical concerns in students

Courses related to ethical problems

Teach linguistic skills if not a good moral person but good in rhetoric

Focus on outcomes of students

Find methods to teach and develop attitudes and behaviors

Take point of meaning of words

It’s important to communicate with pupils in all subjects