Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters (AIE)

Training in the use of the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters, a tool designed by the Council of Europe to develop intercultural awareness and competences. Thе seminar is organised in partnership with the Council of Europe, Pestalozzi Programme (Unit for Capacity building, Intercultural Education and Exchanges and the Language Policy Division). Application form. Dates: 18-20 October 2010 Place: Sofia, Bulgaria Working Language: English Places available: 30 Target group: Teachers of all age groups to whom the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters and education for intercultural dialogue more generally is of interest; and also teachers who have responsibilities for teacher development and disseminating innovative practices. Deadline for applications: 9 September 2010 Brief description Participants explore the rationale and pedagogical practices related to the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters. This is a tool designed by the Council of Europe to encourage people to think about and learn from intercultural encounters that have made a strong impression or had a long-lasting effect on them. In discovering what underlies these encounters users become more aware of their experience and their reactions, thereby developing their intercultural competences. The Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters has been developed in relation to the Council of Europe’s White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue “Living together as equals in dignity”, and in particular in application of Section 5.3 Learning and teaching intercultural competences (page 25, paragraph 152): “Complementary tools should be developed to encourage students to exercise independent critical faculties including to reflect critically on their own responses and attitudes to experiences of other cultures.” Participants focus on the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to implement the Autobiography in their day-to-day work with their learners. They are invited to  • Share their own intercultural experiences with and learn from fellow teachers;  • Explore the potential of the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters for the development of the competencies and identities of intercultural citizens;  • Experience the impact of working with the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters;  • Take part in collaborative work facilitated by experienced and recognised trainers in the field; and  • Make plans to implement strategies for their classrooms and teacher development sessions. Expected results After the seminar the participants will have  • developed further their understanding of the work of the Council of Europe in the field of education for social cohesion and intercultural dialogue;  • mastered the craft of using the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters and considered the theory of intercultural communicative competence which underpins it;  • appreciated the value of the Autobiography for their own teaching practices; and  • established beneficial co-operation and prospects for exchange in a thematic professional network. How to participate If you wish to participate in this training please contact the organisers directly and fill in the application form. For more information you can contact Aha Moments on phone: ++ 359 898 60 46 41; ++ 359 2 967 1063; ++359 899 96 36 23; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it You will receive practical information and the draft programme of the training in due course. Travel and subsistence expenses for the selected participants will be paid for by the Council of Europe. Pre-paid tickets will be provided by the organisers. By piloting the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters with people in diverse professional circumstances and educational contexts AHA MOMENTS contributes to the producing of this document which has been developed to promote intercultural dialogue. The Autobiography is a personal document which encourages users to think about and learn from the intercultural encounters that have made a strong impression or had a long-lasting effect on them. It is a document for cross-curricular and general use in formal and non-formal educational contexts. It invites users to reflect critically upon their own memorable intercultural experiences, and helps them to analyse them in retrospect and in the light of the most defining aspects of each encounter.