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Examples of activities
Sustainable learning in a professional learning community
The model for Sustainable learning in a professional learning community is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support in order to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two-year action-research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008). The international developments in the field of professionalization in early childhood indicate the need for new requirements for early childhood educators. Based on the theories of reflective learning and the critical learning community, eight learning methods were developed and co-constructed. The book forms the basis for a nationally accredited in-service training program developed by Bureau MUTANT for educators and coaches.
For further information send an e-mail to a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.
Democratic citizenship for young children
Central themes: participation and decision making, responsibility for the group and community, conflict solving and respect for diversity. The outline and programme of the project is based on international research. Professor Glenda Mac Naughton from the University Melbourne in Australia supports the research part in this project.
MUTANT supports local authorities and care organisations in the development of specific care provisions for migrant seniors. For example the organisation of study trips, conferences, exchange programs and the initiation of day-care centres for Moluccan or Surinam older people, or for Turkish and Moroccan older men and women.
Research to improve intercultural communication in palliative care
Example networks:
MUTANT is co-founder and was overall-coordinator (2004-2006) of the European network DECET (Diversity in Early Childhood Education and Training). DECET stimulates equal opportunities and values diversity in child- care and pre-school facilities and in training and education based on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. Participating organisations are from Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
DECET cooperates closely with the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) that strives for quality in early childhood in 30 countries in East and Middle Europe and in the former Sovjet Republics.
Childcare International, of which Anke van Keulen is co-initiator, founded the Transferpunt Kinderopvang at the beginning of 2007. Its objective is to exchange knowledge and experience of the child-care sector, playgroups and Early Childhood Education with relevant knowledge and experience abroad. CCI also wants to bring the acquired knowledge to the attention of management and politics.
With the conference ‘Young children and citizenship’ Childcare International put the social function of child care on the agenda and published : ‘Kinderschapsvorming, kinderopvang van opvang naar educatie tot instrument voor burgerschapsvorming’. (Young children and citizenship’:, child care from care to education to an instrument for citizenship)
Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity MUTANT is member of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity, a global and inter-disciplinary network of leading researchers, policy-makers and practitioners who are committed to reducing racial and ethnic divisions and conflicts and building socially inclusive and respectful communities through the promotion of effective early childhood programs. Through the coordinated activities of six Learning Groups we aim to share and disseminate existing expertise and knowledge as well as work in partnership with local organizations and researchers to support the development of new and innovative early childhood programs in regions characterized by divisions and/or conflicts. MUTANT joins the ‘Children, Race and Ethnicity Learning Group’, chaired by Professor Glenda MacNaughton (Australia) More information: Anke van Keulen, contact and www.unaglobal.org
Prisma (reflecting the Positive DiveRsities of European PrIorities for Research and Measurement in End-of-Life CAre)
Experts in culture and end-of-life care from across Europe met in May 2010 to discuss PRISMA’s work regarding cultural competency and end-of-life care and determine how to develop this work further. Findings from the culture-scoping exercise were presented and discussed within this forum. More information: www.prismafp7.eu
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