Report on the fifth project partners meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania 5 – 8 ...

This project has been funded with support from the European
Commission in the frame of Lifelong Learning Programme. This
document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
Vilnius, 9 th of May, 2011
<strong>Report</strong> on the fifth project partners meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania
5 th – 8 th May, 2011
EU LLP Grundtvig Learning Partnership: LET’S MIX UP C&I
“LET’S MIX UP: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN ADULT EDUCATION”
The fifth LET’S MIX UP C&I project partnership meeting was held in Vilnius University from 5 th – 8 th May,
2011. There were 5 project institutions present, together with its representatives:
1. PARK KULTUROWY FORTYFIKACJI MIEJSKICH “TWIERDZA GDAOSK” from Gdaosk, POLAND – project
coordinator:
Arleta Pławska
Witold Marciszewski
Jadwiga Skuras
Agnieszka Kalisz
2. LIETUVOS JAUNŲJŲ MOKSLININKŲ SĄJUNGA from Vilnius, LITHUANIA:
Reda Grigutytė
Vilma Petrikaitė
Lina Baužienė
Justinas Baužys
Vytautas Gargasas
Piotras Cimmperman
Antoni Kozič
Edita Viotechovič
Irma Vitonytė
Lina Urbšienė
Kristina Vasiliauskaitė
Eugenijus Keras
Irena Patašienė
Aistė Dromantaitė-Stančikienė
3. ESCUELA OFICIAL DE IDIOMAS MARÍA MOLINER from Almansa, SPAIN:
Juan Gil Saucedo
Antonio Gonzalez Ruano
Ricardo Ortuno Garcia
Carmen Gonzalez
4. E.RI.FO. ENTE PER LA RICERCA E FORMAZIONE from Rome, ITALY:
Mehdi Mezouar
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5. CULTURE CIRCLE KULTURBÜRO WIEN from Vienna, AUSTRIA:
Monika Brunner
4-day-meeting was carried out as follows:
Thursday, May 5 th , 2011
All participants arrived and checked-in at Tilto Hotel.
At 5:30 p.m. almost all participants met at the reception except Poland because of late arrival and had
guided tour in Vilnius. At 7:30 p.m. all participants went together to have a warm welcoming dinner in
restaurant “Čili kaimas”.
Friday, May 6 th , 2011
Participants came to the premises of Vilnius University.
Opening of the meeting. The meeting was held by Reda Grigutytė. Reda Grigutytė welcomed all
participants to Vilnius University and shortly presented the programme of the meeting. After technical
details about the meeting she asked Piotras Cimmperman, the President of Lithuanian Society of Young
Researchers (LSYR), to present the association and its activity.
Presentation of LSYR. Piotras told to all participants that LSYR is a dynamic knowledge-based
autonomous non-political and non-profit nation-wide organisation, open to young researchers,
scientists, and students from various science and research fields. The organisation has been established
in 2002 and officially registered in 2003. Currently, it has about 210 members from different research
fields and institutions all over Lithuania. The mission of LSYR is to encourage young people to become
world-class scientists by establishing interdisciplinary scientific community, promoting science and by
facilitating improvements in the system of science and education. Since its foundation, LSYR participated
in many projects and various activities like the following: summer schools for pupils interested in
research; contests “The best PhD thesis” and “The best master work”, also summer camp “Smithy of
Ideas”, and other events. Participants of the meeting asked representatives of LSYR how the best PhD
thesis is elected and also they wanted to know if LSYR organizes any courses for students on topic how to
write scientific work. Piotras Cimmperman and Vilma Petrikaitė answered these questions and then Reda
Grigutytė invited Lina Baužienė to present “Simulations games”.
Presentation of “Simulation games”. Lina Baužienė briefly explained that simulation is an
imitation of reality. The main requirement during the game is to simulate a realistic situation and
environment. Then she presented a simulation game which was selected to be played during this
meeting. The artificial country “DIGAMA” aims to become one of the World's IT leaders. Government
already invested millions of Euros for IT technologies. Now the turn has come to education area. The
government decided to establish e-University, e-Language school centre and e-Museum. As the global
financial crises have affected the countries’ funds, the Government has decided to finance only one of
the applied projects. Furthermore, the Government decided to let perform the three groups presented
by intellectual citizens to describe, defend and promote ideas for the government and society through
social networks. Each group’s aim is to win the funding for their idea.
Playing the simulation game “DIGAMA”. Lina Baužienė has invited each participant to take a
position within the announced areas: (1) 3 government members, (2) 2 journalists, (3) e-University
group, (4) e-Language school centre group, (5) e-Museum group. Fifteen participants of the meeting
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started to play the game. Further participants of the meeting watched the game, having documented
interesting moments by taken photos and having assisted the moderator during the game.
Lina Baužienė explained that the function of the Government is to rule the game and/or to create new
rules. The Government has a budget over 1 000 000 Euros for implementing the best ideas, and finally, at
the end of the game the Government has to decide on how to use the proposed funding. The
government informed each project groups about the requirements. Each project group had to prepare a
short presentation about their project and to present it in an attractive way, as the best idea will be
funded.
After about one hour of preparation and extensive discussions within each project group, the individually
chosen project leaders were ready to present their outcomes to the audience by defending their ideas as
the best ones. The most convincing presentation was considered to be the e-Museum (project leader
was Mehdi Mezouar).
Then journalists of DIGAMA presented their press release. They founded all the projects to be realistic
and valuable. It should not be any conflict between all three projects, and it is possible to implement all
of them. Actually, the projects presented were very ambitious and spectacular. However, e-Museum was
acknowledged to be the most extensive project as it also turned out very original.
The government was asked to evaluate the presentations (from 0 to 10 points). E-University has got 5
points, e-Language school centre – 7 points, and e-Museum – 10 points.
After evaluation of the projects at about 1:00 p.m. all participant have had their lunch at the Vilnius
University café. From 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. the participants had a guided excursion to learn about the
programmes and history of the Vilnius University. At 3:00 p.m. all people continued to play further the
Simulation game.
Justinas Baužys, one of the moderators of the game, suggested to debate on the idea which is supposed
to be the best one. He has asked both, the e-University and the e-Language school centre group
members to fight for the success of their ideas. This has led them to start discussions and to try to prove
that their projects should be placed better which turned out quiet emotionally and interestingly. The E-
Museum group was again very creative and has strengthen their first placement.
The moderator asked to think on how to distribute information about each project in social networks. All
groups including government and journalists have brainstormed on this issue.
Then journalists announced so-called hot news about crashing down all DIGAMA info systems as one
country has not any access to the Internet. All three project groups had to rethink their proposals and try
to find a way out from this situation.
Subsequently the moderator requested the Government to announce its decision about the project
funding. As a result the Government decided to contribute 50% of project funds to the e-Museum; 30% -
to the e-Language school center and 20% - to the e-University.
Outcomes from the game. Justinas Baužys explained that the most important stages of the game
is to get to know better the procedures on how to do and to make it more attractive and interesting for
each player. Generally, the rules have to be created by the Government. The more tasks – the more
creativity. It is fine to consider about 7.5 minutes for preparing very good game. A good Idea is always
the best base for the success of the simulation. Having a great idea for game partners and the audience,
the moderator will explain the rules on how to play the game. The games’ progress is left open to the
players. The game requires a knowledged based balance within the participating groups to achieve an
outweighed outcome
The Austrian representative pointed out that this simulation game is an attractive way for learning by
doing. This innovative Game helps to find solutions and can prevent mistakes. It was identified by all
participants that the language barrier can have some influences on the game as it was sometimes
difficult to express the own opinion into English.
Then Lithuanian representatives have awarded the best players of the simulation game.
All participants were asked to share the experience from the game and to express their opinion about it.
The players were happy to have a good possibility to use English and to improve their communication
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skills during this game. They enjoyed the good atmosphere, became to know each other better,
expanded their mind about different situations and have learnt on how to convince other people in
every way. It was interesting, to simulate real situations and think about those having the responsibility
for such decisions.
The simulation game was recorded by cameraman as a part of the DVD production from the Lithuanian
presentations.
At 6.30 p.m. all meeting partners went for a dinner to restaurant “Belmontas”.
Saturday, May 7th, 2011
Participants met at 10:00 in the premises of Vilnius University for the next sessions.
Introduction to Lithuania. Reda Grigutytė introduced Lithuania. She showed some short films
about Lithuania from “YouTube”. Then foreign participants tried to learn some Lithuanian words and
sentences (how to say thank you, to ask for help, etc.). After the Lithuanian Survival lesson the partners
from the EU-countries answered several questions about Lithuania and Lithuanians. They have learnt
more about flag, shape, population and sports of Lithuania.
Presentation of the film from Italy. After the coffee break Italian representative Mehdi Mezouar
presented the film from Italy. All meeting partners liked it. Arleta Pławska asked to put the promotional
info about Grundtvig project at the beginning and in the end of this film. Mehdi Mezouar agreed on it –
he will try to put the logo but he isn’t sure if it is possible technically. However, the logo was already in
film but in different place. Mehdi Mezouar will send the final version of this film for comments later.
Presentation of the film from Austria. Austrian representative Monika Brunner showed the film
from Austria. It was a short version in the amount of five minutes as agreed in Italy. All the participants
liked the new version. The Austrian film was handed over to the Spanish partner for finalisation the C& I
DVD. The EU-Logo and text are presented within the Austrian film production.
Products from Grundtvig project for the final report.
The Polish Coordinator, Arleta Plawska, reminded that the project is going to be finalized soon (it will
finish at the end of July), and all the partners have to discuss on the final products elaborated
throughout the project. Lithuanian and Italian representatives still need to prepare/finish their films.
Mehdi Mezouar will send the final version of the Italian film in 3 weeks. Monika Brunner suggested to
use programme “DropBox’ for better convenience. Partners agreed to think about it. Spanish delegates
will work on all needed material by the end of June – the beginning of July, will send a copy with cover,
etc. Reda Grigutytė will send Lithuanian film by the end of June.
Arleta Plawska asked Juan Gil Saucedo to say his opinion on design of the cover of DVD. Juan thinks it is
good. Then all participants agreed that if will be enough space, all the logos will be put on DVD. One part
of DVD will be for films from all partners; another part – for various products: newsletters, factsheets
about each institution, press releases, reports, flyer (introduction to simulation games). Monika Brunner
advised for the website that the partners from Poland and Spain could also prepare few paragraphs to
present their innovative and creative methods used and learnt in adult education throughout the
partnership. Monika Brunner has also presented the updated website of this project
(http://www.candia.webs.com/). The partners discussed the final outcomes and their presentation
online on the project website. After some debates all partners agreed that the best way is a link to the
projects’ website within the DVD and the final outcomes will be presented on the website. Till the end of
May all partners agreed to finish the documents about creative and innovative methods for adult
education.
Arleta Plawska, started a discussion on how to put all information on the DVD. She proposed to agree by
e-mail.
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Participants talked about factsheets: Arleta Plawska already has the final factsheets from Poland, Spain,
Italy and Austria. She explained to others that factsheet is a document with info about institutions from
this project. Italy will add logo and the EU promotional text on the factsheet.
Newsletter should be prepared about one month before each meeting. Arleta has newsletters from
Italy, Austria, Poland, Spain and Lithuania. From Italy we have two versions. The first newsletter will
remain. The second version is more likely to be used as a press release it was prepared by the Italian
partner Mehdi Mezouar.
The Polish coordinator Arleta Plawska has made an introduction to the requirements of the final report
as this is also the final meeting of the C&I project. The report is divided into a common part and the
national part. The common part requires the acceptance of all partners and also includes activities
undertaken in terms of national priorities. The national part will be prepared by each partner separately
in English or in each national language and sent out latest to national agencies by September 30 th , 2011.
Arleta Plawska showed the printed version of a former report from her national agency. The current
versions will be sent by each National Agency to the partners. Furthermore Arleta Plawska pointed out
that part E is about partnership participation and activities as a whole. Arleta Plawska proposed that she
will prepare the common part and this part E in English for further consultation with the partners. All
partners will contribute and translate into their national languages for those required. Other parts will
have to be prepared by each partner separately. Monika Brunner said that Austria has this form in
English. Italian delegates noticed the same.
Evaluation and closing of the meeting. Reda Grigutytė distributed evaluation forms to be filled in
by the participants of the meeting. Furthermore she has given souvenirs of the organization to all
participants.
After the meeting all partners have had their lunch during which they discussed about new creative and
innovative methods for adult education learnt during the meeting. After lunch break from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
participants visited Trakai. They visited the Castle of Trakai, walked through the beautiful town and later have
had their dinner. After a nice trip all participants returned to Vilnius.
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
Project coordinators from each partner country met at 11.00 a.m. and discussed possibility for further
cooperation. Arleta Pławska has already sent a first version of a proposal for to continue the successful
cooperation with a new application in 2012 within the Grundtvig Multilateral Programme. She invited all
partners to take part in the coming application procedures and to provide beforehand ideas, documents
and further information needed for a successful continuation of the C&I project.
The partners already suggested some new ideas, changes and adjustments. All leaders agreed that the
proposal will be developed as a sustainable outcome and cooperation.
After having a lunch in a Japanese restaurant, participants get free time and/or departured.
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