Final Report Summary - EUCUNET (European children's universities network)
Executive summary:
EUCUNET - You might well ask!
'Why do I need a children's university?'
'The university is really cool and the professors too! When I'm grown up I'll come back for sure!'
This quote from an 11-year-old student after participating at a children's university illustrates very well one important goal of children's universities: Children's universities already brought way above 1 000 000 children in direct touch with science and scientific research experiencing universities itself.
Since the year 2002 every year at least ten to twenty new children's universities were established and many of them are already an important part of the universities. Children's universities are a tremendous way to communicate science and providing insights into academic culture and the role of universities for the society.
'Why do children's universities need a network?'
The children's universities itself as model of science communication and alternative out-of school activities made the transition to adulthood long ago. There has been a change from standalone projects to initiatives in an expanded context as well geographically as conceptual.
EUCUNET provides a network for cooperation and offers all interested parties, persons, universities research laboratories and other institutions the opportunity to present themselves and pose questions to a community of experts. One of the basic aims of EUCUNET is to identify lacks in accompanying research and to lay the foundation which helps to determine the overall impact in a concerted manner. Already over 100 registered projects and numerous individuals are involved in the network and participate in the discussion and the advancement of children's universities.
Within EUCUNET experiences and ideas are shared and assistance is given. A special mentoring program supports the establishment of new projects and stimulates contacts between experienced organisers as critical friends on a national and international basis.
'How will the children's universities network go on?'
The EUCUNET community is acquiring understanding on the concepts of children's universities located all over the world. This forms the knowledge base for a further development of children's universities drafting implementation guidance notes, rules for monitoring criteria, providing reviews of the current state of the impact analysis, benchmarking of concepts and more, well supported by two major international conferences on children's universities.
One sustainable outcome of EUCUNET is the 'White Book'. It illustrates the overall state of the children's university approach in Europe. It serves as a reference guide of the concept of children's universities throughout Europe not only for experts in children's university programmes but also for stakeholders and policymakers. EUCUNET as bridge builder between children's universities activities in different countries has outlined the base frame for international cooperation out of the imminent need for exchange and started the work on pending questions. The network already rests on good foundations because of the great number and diversity of partners. During the lifespan of the project EUCUNET it becomes obvious that there is a massive demand for sustainable networking and intensified networking among organisers of children's universities, experts, practitioners and stakeholders. In consequence, the foundations for a EUCUNET membership organisation where already laid and basic measures were accomplished to ensure a swift transition from a European Union funded project into an attractive, well cross-linked network of worldwide relevance.
EUCUNET - You might well ask!
'Why do I need a children's university?'
'The university is really cool and the professors too! When I'm grown up I'll come back for sure!'
This quote from an 11-year-old student after participating at a children's university illustrates very well one important goal of children's universities: Children's universities already brought way above 1 000 000 children in direct touch with science and scientific research experiencing universities itself.
Since the year 2002 every year at least ten to twenty new children's universities were established and many of them are already an important part of the universities. Children's universities are a tremendous way to communicate science and providing insights into academic culture and the role of universities for the society.
'Why do children's universities need a network?'
The children's universities itself as model of science communication and alternative out-of school activities made the transition to adulthood long ago. There has been a change from standalone projects to initiatives in an expanded context as well geographically as conceptual.
EUCUNET provides a network for cooperation and offers all interested parties, persons, universities research laboratories and other institutions the opportunity to present themselves and pose questions to a community of experts. One of the basic aims of EUCUNET is to identify lacks in accompanying research and to lay the foundation which helps to determine the overall impact in a concerted manner. Already over 100 registered projects and numerous individuals are involved in the network and participate in the discussion and the advancement of children's universities.
Within EUCUNET experiences and ideas are shared and assistance is given. A special mentoring program supports the establishment of new projects and stimulates contacts between experienced organisers as critical friends on a national and international basis.
'How will the children's universities network go on?'
The EUCUNET community is acquiring understanding on the concepts of children's universities located all over the world. This forms the knowledge base for a further development of children's universities drafting implementation guidance notes, rules for monitoring criteria, providing reviews of the current state of the impact analysis, benchmarking of concepts and more, well supported by two major international conferences on children's universities.
One sustainable outcome of EUCUNET is the 'White Book'. It illustrates the overall state of the children's university approach in Europe. It serves as a reference guide of the concept of children's universities throughout Europe not only for experts in children's university programmes but also for stakeholders and policymakers. EUCUNET as bridge builder between children's universities activities in different countries has outlined the base frame for international cooperation out of the imminent need for exchange and started the work on pending questions. The network already rests on good foundations because of the great number and diversity of partners. During the lifespan of the project EUCUNET it becomes obvious that there is a massive demand for sustainable networking and intensified networking among organisers of children's universities, experts, practitioners and stakeholders. In consequence, the foundations for a EUCUNET membership organisation where already laid and basic measures were accomplished to ensure a swift transition from a European Union funded project into an attractive, well cross-linked network of worldwide relevance.
