networking

The agenda for the Online Educa Berlin conference which takes place 3 - 5 December 2008 in the InterContinental Hotel, Berlin is now available online. It includes lots of new features and a real emphasis on networking as well as plenty of opportunities for discussion on topics like how well prepared trainers and academics are to deal with Gen Y learners, what the implications are of moving to Moodle and the impact online learning has on cultural identity.

The agenda also includes a variety of pre-conference events taking place on 3 December, ranging from hands-on workshops on practical topics like Quality Enhancement Processes and Building an Open Global Learning Infrastructure to topics like Designing Informal Learning and Technology Assisted Learning and Training for Defence, Security and Emergency Services. Visit the conference web site to find out more about Online Educa Berlin, the largest international event dedicated to eLearning.

Mathy Vanbuel and Sally Reynolds contributed to the recently published EuroPACE publication, "European Networking and Learning for the Future. The EuroPACE Approach". This book collects articles from different authors involved in the development of the EuroPACE network and positions EuroPACE in the landscape of international networked e-learning. The articles give an overview of the history of the EuroPACE network and the changes that took place in the field of technology enhanced education and training over the past 20 years. For further information about this book including how to order it, visit the EuroPACE web site.

The Indonesian Government will launch and disseminate information about the new BERMUTU Programme (Better Education through Reformed Management and Universal Teacher Upgrading Project) on December 18th through an event linking 14 local sites via the GDLN and Inherent videoconferencing networks. This major national event will bring together leading national figures, local representatives, provincial and district staff. Mathy Vanbuel and Sally Reynolds are providing support to the Ministry of National Education in the lead-up to this event.

The VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - has taken the initiative to establish a Brussels University and Industry Network with leading industrial partners, called CROSSTALKS. In this forum, key corporate leaders and visionaries close the gap between academy and industry and other key areas in society by organizing structural high profile networking. The CROSSTALKS Network aims at creating an exchange dynamics to enable regular confrontations of views through thematically and privileged encounters beyond specific disciplines and with the active participation of key players from all levels of society. On eof their first initiatives is the publication of a status and vision document on Economic, Social & Cultural Scenarios inspired by Free and Open Source Software. The book is available from the Crosstalks website.