Preparation for the study circle

The recruitment process started late. By mid-March I did not know which participants would come. I targeted some trade unionists who declined because of their agenda and the amount of work they had, as they were already preparing for the national elections and the forthcoming federal negotiations for June 1999.

Structure of the Course

Six sessions every fortnight were much easier to deal with. More emphasis could have been set on the introductory meeting to present the ISC programme in much greater detail.

Content of the Course

The course was wide and general. We would have gained more in developing two or three specific topics only, the MAI secret negotiations being such an instance. It was difficult to introduce an international perspective, as some situations cannot be compared between countries. It was easier to address local issues of our everyday life.

Education Materials

I was more confident in introducing the material because I knew its contents. From the beginning I distributed all the six sessions in English to all participants plus the material of the first phase translated in French. After each session I pointed out what should be read for further discussions. I also added some materials/articles/web pages in French.

Methods

We worked in a small group where everybody had many opportunities to express themselves. The reading of the material prior to the session was a good thing. However, we used to take almost half an hour to check the material, to read the new material that I distributed, and to read the national reports.

International Communication

The reports were the only concrete link with the other circles in the project. As we received them little by little it was difficult to synchronise our learning. But we did have an idea of the situations in some countries and their similarities with situations in Belgium.

Internet was not more than an immediate mailbox. The discussion page came late in the session. A direct in-line discussion page on a specific issue would have been appreciated.

We sometimes faced difficulties with English, especially trying to understand some topics of the course and expressing ourselves as accurately as we would have been able to in French.

The Outcomes and the Future

Participants gained in understanding situations that are unknown in Belgium. They were also motivated to follow a longer course.

• How did the international study circle meet your expectations?

It was a good experience

• What did you like and not like about the study circle programme?

We did not like receiving reports from other circles too late. Some were never received at all.

• How was it valuable to gain an understanding of global issues, rather than simply local and national perspectives?

As far as the problems are international it is essential to have a global view of them.

• What problems did you experience on the course?

The English language.

Lack of knowledge of certain subjects (we are not specialists)

• What did you like about the education materials, and what were the problems?

We liked the press book communicated by our facilitator (Sabin Alexandre)

The material was comprehensive and abundant but in English

• What did you like about the way in which the course was run?

We had very serious talks in a friendly atmosphere.

• What did you learn form the exchange between the different study circles?

From the reports that we received we realised that problems are almost the same everywhere.

• What were the gaps/problems in the exchange between the different study circles?

We had no direct exchanges. We did not receive all the reports.

Most of the reports were late.

• How useful is the Internet as a tool of communication for global education?

It could be a good tool if information would be available in due time.

• In what other ways did you benefit from the course?

It was interesting to meet other people and practice English.

• What suggestions do you have for the continuation of the project?