Welcome to the Network's first news of 2004. This issue provides information on the HERODOT events happening in the second year of the project. This issue also has European funding news and events and some useful Web resources.

If you have any news, are involved in events or are prepared to promote the network, then contact Karl Donert or Glenda Wall.

HERODOT EVENTS - NEW PILLAR - PILLAR UPDATE - NEW LINKS
HELP PLEASE - INLT - FUNDING NEWS - NETWORK GROWTH

HERODOT EVENTS

Following the success of the LTSN fieldwork event in London, the three Thematic Pillars will be holding their activity conferences and workshops in 2004. Travel and accommodation costs can be paid for HERODOT members to attend these events.

TP1: Europeanisation of Geographical Education and curriculum

An event in Tartu, Estonia on 25-28 June 2004 based on TUNING, benchmarking and curriculum development in Geography. If you would like to attend, please contact Mrs. Heli Raagmaa, email: heli.raagmaa@ut.ee; phone. +372 737 5816

TP2: Professional Development: Doing a Better Job for European Geographers

This is a conference supporting the professional development of Geography academics and enhancing the employability of Geography graduates. This event will take place from 2-5 April, 2004, at Sofia University “St. Klimnet Ohridski”, Bulgaria. If you would like to attend, please contact Dr Stelian Dimitrov, email: stelian@gea.uni-sofia.bg. Conference details are available at http://www.gees.ac.uk/herodot.htm

TP3: Exciting Geography: learning and teaching approaches

This event will take place on 21-23 May at Cyprus University. It will seek to identify and focus on innovative and exciting teaching and learning approaches in Geography and resultant curriculum development actions. Three groups have bene established: Exciting Geography, Thinking through Geography and Computer assited learning in Geography. If you would like to attend please email Professor Ashley Kent, email:a.kent@ioe.ac.uk

2004 Funding Application and Other EU Bids
HERODOT will apply for further funding from the European Commission for the year 2004/5. The budget, work programme and activities are still being organised, if you would like to be involved in organising events or participating in the new programme then please contact Karl Donert.

HERODOT members are involved in a number of other funding applications in 2003/4. These include the development of Intensive Programmes of study, curriculum development (undergraduate and Masters level) and Minerva (Open and Distance Learning).

HERODOT EVENTS - NEW PILLAR - PILLAR UPDATE - NEW LINKS
HELP PLEASE - INLT - FUNDING NEWS - NETWORK GROWTH

New Thematic Pillar Proposed
Following the 2003 RGS-IBG Conference in London, a suggestion for a new Thematic Pillar resulted from a session held there. The new pillar would look at the theme of Sustainability in the teaching of Geography in Higher Education. If you are interested in participating in this new proposal, then please cpontact either Martin Haigh or Karl Donert.

HERODOT NEWS

Thematic Pillars: Update TP1 - TP2 - TP3

TP1: Europeanisation (Leader: Olivier Mentz) - Malta meeting- Pilot survey - Tartu meeting - New Project proposal

A meeting of those interested in this Europeanisation of Geographical curriculum and structures in higher education was held in Malta in July 2003. The aims of this meeting were to produce a pilot questionnaire and survey methodology to compare Geography across Europe, by undertaking surveys of academics, Geography graduates and employers. The questionnaire takes the form of a list of subject specific and generic competences and skills which were agreed by the members of this Thematic Pillar. Following the pilot phase, HERODOT will seek to undertake self-TUNING of Geography in Europe in order to establish an International Charter for Geography in Higher Education. Link here for the TUNING Educational Structures in Europe.

This pilot survey will be undertaken in the coming semester in 8 countries. If you are interested in piloting then contact the TP leader: Olivier Mentz.

This group intend to meet and present the results of the pilot survey to delegates at a pillar meeting in Tartu in June 2004.

Application for a new Socrates curriculum development project will be proposed from this Thematic Pillar. This proposal will be submitted in 2005. The project will seek to design and develop one or more distance learning modules (at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level) which would support the Europeanisation of the Gerography higher education curriculum. If you are interested in participating in this project and course development, then please contact the TP leader: Olivier Mentz.
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TP2: Professionalism (Leader: Brian Chalkley) - Needing your help - base line survey

TP2 is undertaking a base line survey of existing staff and professional development and what is being done for geography staff in European countries. Complete the short questionnaire here.

The group will consider whether geographers unprepared for employability and whether academics are out of touch with how to advise students on available employment for qualified geographers. They intend to publish a paper on employment. The follow up meeting will be held in Sofia, Prague during Spring 2004.
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TP3: Exciting Geography (Leader: Ashley Kent)

This pillar is focusing on innovative learning and teaching issues. It will seek to produce case studies in support of good practice in Geography.

Exciting Geography has three sub-groups:
1. What is exciting geography?
2. Using geography to enhance thinking.
3. ICT and CAL in geography

1. Exciting Geography are seeking to determine answers to the questions: What does a geography of Europe need to make it exciting? What is exciting in geography? What is exciting in the geography of Europe? They are devising a framework of investigation in order to investigate these questions. Contact the group leaders to find out more: Iris Pauw and Adwin Bosschaart
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2. Thinking Geography plan to develop an e-Book on the approaches to enhancing thinking through Geography. The following sections have already been proposed:

• Assessment and geography
• Thinking and understanding
• Enhancing children's investigative skills through field studies
• Experimental work in school geography
• Helping teachers to work with pre-conceived ideas through problem based learning
• Thinking and values in tertiary level education
• Children's collaborative mapping: talking through spatial thinking

Contact the group leaders to find out more: Costas Constantinou, David Owen and Shelagh Waddington
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3. ICT and CAL in Geography are planning to establish a European database with:
a) the computer assisted geography teaching and learning methods and activities and
b) useful web links that provide information on the subject. If you want to participate, please contact the group leaders Harry Rogge and Gregor Falk
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HERODOT LINKS WITH EEGECS (Cartography)
HERODOT has linked with the Thematic Network EEGECS (for higher education departments of Geodetics, Cartogaphy and Surveying). This network has submitted an successful application under the ALPHA Programme to link universities in Europe with those in Latin America. Karl Donert presented the HERODOT Network to the meeting of EEGECS in Valencia in february 2004. If you are interested in joining EEGECS, contact: eegecs@upvnet.upv.es

HERODOT LINKS WITH RIAC (Regional Identity)
HERODOT has linked with the Comenius Network RIAC (Regional Identity and Active Citizenship). Karl Donert spoke at the network meeting of RIAC at Nottingham University in December 2003. This network is based on activities in school education and orginates from several successful Comenius projects. HERODOT and RIAC are plan ning a joint event in Malta in November 2004. If you would like to know more about RIAC or to be involved, email: riac@tsn.at

HERODOT LINKS WITH EuroCuLT
HERODOT has linked with the Network EuroCuLT which is based on activities and European Cultures Today, if you are interested in being involved, contact Vytautas V.Sirtautas, Klaipeda University, email: vytasir@takas.lt

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INLT
INLT stands for International Network for Learning and Teaching Geography in Higher Education. It was established at the AAG conference in Hawaii in 1999. Papers were published in JGHE July 2000. There is a listserv and a twic yearly Newsletter. Members of HERODOT, who have not already done so, should join. It is free. See http://www.glos.ac.uk/gdn

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HERODOT Network Growth
The HERODOT Network now stands at 120 partners, including 14 geography related organisations, representing 29 countries within Europe and three countries beyond.

The Network is urgently looking to expand its links internationally and to incorporate non-higher edication organisations such as companies, publishers and businesses. Please ask any new potential partners to contact Glenda Wall for memberships forms. An expansion form has been e-mailed to all partners and there is also a copy available on the web site. Link here to go to the HERODOT Web site.

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EUROPEAN FUNDING NEWS No 3

This section provides up-to-date information on bidding for Socrates funds. Do you want to visit other universities? Develop joint programs or projects? Then look here. You can contact Karl Donert if you want informal advice on any applications you are considering. Some new projects are being planned, see the looking for partners section. Other specific project opportunities occasionally become available.

Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

HERODOT News aims to provide members will useful information concerning opportunities to access European Commission and other funds to further collaboration and for projects.

HERODOT wants to establish a partner search function, if you wish to find partners for a new project or to find places for your students to undertake a European study or work placement exchange overseas - if you want to include your information in the partner search, then please email Amanda Plumb.

Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

Are you applying for Socrates Funding 2003/2004?
The actions are as follows: Comenius (schools), Erasmus (higher education), Grundtvig (adults), Lingua (languages), Minerva (Open and Distance Learning). Contact Karl Donert if you want informal advice on any applications you are considering.

Other opportuntiies will include Observation and Innovation in Education Systems and Policies, Joint Actions and Accompanying Measures.

The Call for Proposals 2004 and the Socrates Guide for Applicants (pdf) should be read in conjunction with one another. Together they contain all the information needed in order to apply for Socrates grants.

ERASMUS deadlines
Curriculum Development Projects - deadline 1 March 2004 (Start 1 October 2004)
Intensive Programmes - deadline 1 March 2004 (Start 1 October 2004)
Mobility of Students and Teaching Staff - apply to your International Office - national agency

Preparatory Visits
Preparatory Visits for all Actions - Contact your National Agency
All application forms and further information

Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

Partner Searches - Women rights - EU-South America - native cultures - Doctoral

Partners please: new Socrates Network for Science Teacher Education
EBISTED is a proposed new SOCRATES Thematic Network looking for partners, if you are interested in being involved, contact: Stéphane Chaudron chaudron@bani.ucl.ac.be

Looking for partners (Women and Fundamental Rights)
for a new interdisciplinary thematic network on Women and: Fundamental Rights, Places of Socialization and Growth, Health and Sexual Freedom, Scientific Research, Labour Market, contact Mrs Rita Saraò, International Relation Office, University of Foggia r.sarao@unifg.it

Looking for partners (Europe-South America)
The EEGECS Thematic Network (European Education in Geodetic Engineering, Cartography and Surveying) are looking for partners interested in participating with a new application to work with Latin America (ALFA Program). The main aim is to create a large network, with many institutions taking part as partners. They propose to create an inter-university institute, which could be a bridge between Latin America and Europe, in order to exchange ideas and information.

Information about EEGECS can be found at: http://www.top.upv.es/eegecs/main.asp
For more information, the ALFA website is: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/alfa/index_en.htm
Contact Francisco García García, eegecs@upvnt.upv.es

Partner Search (native cultures and literature)
A Framework 6 project is being proposed from Latvia, information about the project is available at: http://www.ku.lt/hmf/lietuviu/en-e-kult.php. New partners should register at: http://www.ku.lt/hmf/lietuviu/en-e-partner.php. Please contact Dr. Vytautas V. Sirtautas.

Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

Other Opportunities
Funding opportunities exist now in the following areas, click to find out more:
Doctoral Programmes
eCONTENT
LEONARDO DA VINCI - vocational training
TeLearn Technology Enhanced Learning (Sixth Framework)
European Year of Sport 2004
UK Environment for Europe
Vocational and Professional Training
Culture 2000
Other Links
Tempus, Structural and Complementary Measures

Coming soon: ERASMUS WORLD

Technology Enhanced Learning (TeLearn)
The Commission site for the Sixth Framework Programme:
http://www.cordis.lu/ist/directorate_e/telearn/
Publications
Technology Enhanced Learning Project Fact Sheets.
Technology Enhanced Learning - Research and Development in Education and
Training Applications 1998-2002. Both publications can be downloaded here:

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Fieldwork and Sport? (Promoting the educational value of sport)
European Year of Education through Sport 2004
Projects between 500,000 and 4 Million € according the start
Deadline March 1 2004
Call text:(pdf)
Guidelines/ handbook/all useful documents:
Backround Information

UK Environment for Europe - Central and Eastern Europe (sustainability)
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is launching the new UK Environment for Europe Fund to coincide with the Kiev Environment for Europe Conference. Its goal is to promote environmental protection and sustainable development in Eastern and Central Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It specifically focuses on the outcomes of Kiev 2003. The Fund will be worth 2 million pounds in 2003/2004.

To find out more contact: CENN Caucasus Envrinmental NGO Network
email: info@cenn.org Website: http://www.cenn.org

Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

Vocational and Professional Training
The European Training Village team of Cedefop invites you to visit http://www.trainingvillage.gr

Culture 2000, is an EU funding programme offering support for arts and cultural
projects in the performing and visual arts, heritage and associated with books/reading
sectors. More information and newsletter.

Tempus - Structural & Complementary Measures
Tempus provides project funds for working with Eastern Europe and MEDA (Mediterranean) countries like Egypt, Palestine etc. next deadline is 15 October. Guide and forms available from http://www.etf.eu.int/tempus/

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Socrates/Erasmus - Looking for partners - Other funding opportunities

OTHER NEWS
Resources - More Bologna - News from the European Commission - role of universities - Eurydice Bulletin - Spring Day - top

Resources... Resources ... Resources
GE source a source of high quality Internet sites covering all aspects of Geography and the environment http://www.gesource.ac.uk
Geography Learning and Teaching support network (UK) http://www.gees.ac.uk
Guide to resources on Higher Education JISC resources guides http://www.jisc.ac.uk/resourceguides/
UK national larning and teaching projects http://www.ltsn.ac.uk/genericcentre/projectfinder
EDINA: the GEO data portal http://www.gogeo.ac.uk
GeoWalk Gazeteer Project http://www.geowalk.ac.uk
Social Science Network - free abstracts http://www.socscinet.com
SARA - journal content alerts http://www.tandf.co.uk/sara

More Bologna
The HERODOT Web site has copy and links on Bologna, an explanation of the Declaration can be found at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/socrates/erasmus/bologna.pdf

An article by Prof. Graham Gaie (University of Glasgow) may be of interest to UK colleagues, "The Bolgna Declaration - Does it concern UK Universities?
http://www.english.ltsn.ac.uk/resources/general/publications/newsletters/newsissue3

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEWS

New Forum on School Twinning through the Internet
The European Commission are seeking to develop school twinning as a major action of the eLearning Programme, to be launched this year. The Commission¹s goal is to encourage European schools to establish cooperation agreements through use of new technologies.

The http://elearningeuropa.info portal has opened a forum to discuss the objectives, obstacles and characteristics of schooltwinning. This forum provides a space for all members of the education community throughout Europe to find information and share their opinions about the best way of organising this.

Ploteus Portal for European Education and Training
PLOTEUS, is an online service launched by the European Commission in March to help citizens find out about education and training in Europe.The new portal, named after the ancient Greek word for 'navigator', offers a vast array of useful free information by linking national education and training websites. In parallel with the EURES jobs database, it effectively opens up public sector sources of learning and employment opportunities throughout 30 countries.

As well as the detailed information on schools, colleges and courses of all kinds in it's learning opportunities and education systems sections, the portal provides practical help under the headings 'exchange', 'contact' and 'moving to a country'. This includes hints on matters such as finding a place to stay, living costs, the legal aspects of studying or working abroad, tax and social security. Visit the PLOTEUS Portal at: http://www.ploteus.net

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BERLIN UPDATE - European Commission consultation: the role of universities
The Commission adopted on 5 February a Communication on The Role of Universities in the Europe of knowledge. They are inviting anyone who has an interest in this matter on higher education to send a response on the Communication to the Commission up to the end of May this year. The intention is to prepare a short report to the Ministers of (Higher) Education in time for the Berlin Ministerial meeting of the Bologna process. Further action will be assessed at that stage. The briefing document from the Commission on the role of universities can be accessed by clicking here.

As a Thematic Network, HERODOT is asked to contribute to this debate. Please send any comments and statements to Karl Donert or Glenda Wall or contribute by the end of May directly on email to:
eac-consult-univ@cec.eu.int
rtd-consult-univ@cec.eu.int
or by post to: European Commission, EAC A1 (Consult-Univ), (B7 – 9/58), B - 1049 BRUXELLES, BELGIUM

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Eurydice Bulletin: 'Education in the News - Europe'
Headlines are as follows:
* Turkey to participate in education, training and youth programmes in 2004 - European Commission Press Release
* Debate on the future of universities in Europe - European Commission Communication
* Denmark proceeds with university reform
* Germany seeks to increase share of international postgraduates
* Sweden seeks to attract more foreign students with the launch of a new web site: http://www.studyin.sweden.se
* The future of higher education in England & Wales (Government white paper on the reform of HE in England & Wales)
* ICT government policies for education and training worldwide (searchable database)

The bulletin contains a collection of recent education news items, presented in alphabetical order by country. These have been collected from European education websites, the Times Educational Supplement, the Times Higher Education Supplement and other publications. The items also contain web sites where further information may be found about each topic.

You can download a copy of this bulletin from: http://www.nfer.ac.uk/eurydice/factfiles/factfileeur.asp#ednews (click on the words 'current issue')
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Spring Day In Europe - register for the Debate on EU Enlargement

More than 2000 schools have registered so far and Spring Day is gathering momentum over the next weeks. Tell schools about the event so they can be part of the huge Spring Day network supported by Spring teachers, local and national authorities, members of Parliament, etc. Register at the Spring Day Web site http://futurum2004.eun.org

RESOURCES

Naturopa: a free journal from the Council of Europe, latest issue - the European Landscape Convention, next issue War and Heritage, go to http://www.coe.int, email christian.meyer@coe.int

Geography in the News: free learning resources, news and views at http:www.rgs.org

LTSN-GEES Information or resources on learning and teaching in geography, earth or environmental sciences can be obtained from the LTSN-GEES Centre http://www.gees.ac.uk/

Free Internet Training is available online at http://wwww.vts.rdn.ac.uk, teach yourself Internet skills, over 60 free Web tutorials online as part of the Virtual Training Suite

Interested in eLearning? Subscribe to the Learning Citizen Newsletter
The content of the July-September 2003 Newsletter included:
* A question of Pedagogy, Mobile learning as a tool for inclusion
* Technology Watch, Whole world in their hands
* eLearning Standards, Access on demand
* Perspectives of eLearning, The Silicon Valley as a model for eLearning
* Beyond Europe, Canadian eLearning Guidelines Protect Consumers
* Synergy with other initiatives, Warning up the cool to learning with Quiclearn
* Events
The newsletter can be downloaded directly from http://www.learningcitizen.net

Unlocking the archives of the RGS visit http://www.rgs.org

Geography Discipline Network resources on Good Teaching, Key Skills and support for disabled students, visit the GDN Web pages http://www.glos.ac.uk

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Some Internet links to check out
Educational Technology and eLearning for Development (focus on Southern Africa)
An economist tackles the riddles of everyday life
Imagination at work!
California Chaos
World Association for Online Education
CFP: Cooperation and Collaboration in Education (Singapore, June 2004)
Center for Digital Discourse and Culture
Social Science Information Gateway (lots of interesting links)
Eurotexte: The Translators' Portal (links to dictionaries, terminology, glossaries, etc.)
Information Technologies and International Development (new journal)
The Internet picture dictionary

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SOME OTHER NEWS

Peruvian Mountains "Cordilleras Hermanas", is a Web site created by students from two Peruvian universities: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) and Universidad Agraria La Molina (UNALM), their WEB site is: http://www.lamolina.edu.pe/cordillerashermanas/

Teacher training grants The Geographical Association present awards to attend their Annual conference in the UK (normally in April) If you are interested in applying for one of these, then contact Tony Binns, chair of the GA International Committee.

INLT Newsletter Issue 7 of the International Network for Learning & Teaching of
Geography in Higher Education (INLT) Newsletter is now available on the Web at http://www.glos.ac.uk/gdn/inlt/issue7.htm. Contents include:

Journal of Geography in Higher Education is seeking articles (JGHE)
* General information (Aims and Scope, Subscription Rates, etc.)
* Publishing for JGHE
* JGHE Prize

International Journal of Fieldwork Studies free online journal, can be found at http://www.virtualmontana.org/ejournal/

A range of RGS-IBG grants for fieldwork and research are available from http://www.rgs.org/grants, or contact Grants Office, RGS-IBG, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR, UK grants@rgs.org

Inclusive Curriculum Project aims to develop, disseminate and embed resources for supporting disabled students studying Geography and environmental sciences. The project will continue until the end of 2005. For further information, contact Mick Healey, Project Director mhealey@glos.ac.uk

Conferences and Events 2004

14-19 March 2004 100th AAG Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, USA

2-5 April 2004 HERODOT Professional Development: Doing a Better Job for European Geographers, Conference details are available at http://www.gees.ac.uk/herodot.htm

5th-7th April 2004, Geographical Association: Annual Conference
University of Kent at Canterbury, UK. There will be a special event on Europe and Enlargement Contact: ga@geography.org.uk and visit the GA Web site http://www.geography.org.uk for further information.

13-16 April 2004, Institute of Australian Geographers' Conference, Glenelg, South Australia
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21-23 May HERODOT: Exciting Geography: learning and teaching approaches at Cyprus University, details on the HERODOT Web site, email:a.kent@ioe.ac.uk

2-5 June 2004 Green Week : Green Week 2004 intends to bring people together to debate, as a follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on key environmental issues of sustainable consumption and production, renewable energy and climate change and water. You can now register on-line at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek/practical/practical_en.htm for the 2004 edition of Green Week!

16-19 June 2004 EDEN Conference: New Challenges and Partnerships in an enlarged European Union: Open, Distance and e-Learning in Support of Modernisation, Capacity Building and Regional Development, Budapest University of Technology and Economics Hungary, details at http://www.eden-online.org

20-22 June ACA conference: the International Campus, email info@aca-secretariat.be

25-28 June 2004 HERODOT: Europeanisation of Geographical Education and curriculum, email Mrs. Heli Raagmaa, email: heli.raagmaa@ut.ee; phone. +372 737 5816
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15-20 August 2004, International Geographical Union meeting, Glasgow, UK, One Earth One World

17 August 2004 RGS-IBG at the IGU, Glasgow, UK, a shortened RGS-IBG Annual Conference 2004 will be held on the middle day of the IGU conference. Early registration by 1 March 2004

17-20 August 2004 BGRG International Geomorphology Conference, Glasgow, UK, Theme: Geomorphology and Sustainability

October 2004 15th Festival of Geography at Saint-Die-des-Vosges,France. Included is Cafe Geography, exhibitions, round tables, and a special invited country To find out more visit http://www.ville-saintdie.fr or http://fig-st-die.education.fr

Schoolnet Conferences and Events Page
Upcoming conferences in the area of Education and Technology in Europe. Events listed chronologically at http://www.eun.org/events

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