The second transnational partner meeting of the I CO-COPE project took place on May 16 and 17 2024 at the Faculty of Education at Comenius University in Bratislava. The project partners from Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Slovakia came together to work face-to-face on the progress of the project.
Collaboration is key
The meeting began with an activity designed to demonstrate the role of communication and collaboration in achieving personal and group goals. This exercise highlighted the importance of teamwork for the success of the project. The initial discussion focused on the benefits and impact of the project. There was a general consent that the project significantly strengthens the sense of belonging, not only at school but also in society in general. If students feel safe to express their ideas, are heard and believe that they are important, this not only boosts their self-esteem and willingness to collaborate, but also gives them the skills to engage in their communities and even in wider contexts like this international project.
Preparing for the upcoming activities
The next item on the agenda was the presentation of the results of the questionnaires completed by students and professionals from 20 schools in all participating countries. These outcomes form the basis of the questions for the focus groups. The aim of the focus group interviews is to capture not only the personal experiences of the participants but also their perspectives on the school situation and the experiences of others. Two focus groups will be conducted in each of the eight partner schools: one with students and one with professionals.
On day two of the partner meeting the development of the online training to support professionals in implementing Communities of Practice to promote interprofessional collaboration and students’ agency was discussed. The time in Bratislava was also used to prepare for the upcoming training activity in Porto in October and for the implementation of Communities of Practice in the partner schools in the next school year.
Getting to know each other better
Last but not least, socialising with the other team members and time for informal exchanges is of course also an important part of any transnational partner meeting. The Slovakian hosts enriched the programme with a guided tour to of the city centre of Bratislava and the organisation of joint dinners in traditional Slovakian restaurants.
