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Project description

The "Institute for virtual and real learning in the area of adult education at the University of Ulm" (ILEU e.V., registered association) is coordinator of the European Learning Partnership ODE (Open doors for Europe) which is funded by the Sokrates Program Grundtvig 2 of the European Commission. The learning project started in August 2004 and is designed for three years. Partners are Universities of the Third Age from Lublin and Lodz (Poland), Alicante (Spain) and Vicenza (Italy). In Germany the ILEU e.V. is cooperating with the association "Virtual and real Learning and Competence Network for Seniors" (ViLE) and the working group "European contacts" of the Center for General Science-oriented Continuing Education (ZAWIW).

The learning partnership is based on the varied experience of the participating institutions. Experience indicate that seniors often do not speak foreign languages which would facilitate accessing other countries and cultures. Therefore other instruments are to be found that can work as "Door Openers for Europe" in order to strengthen the preparedness for encounters with people from other European countries.

"Door Openers" could be: knowledge about key situations, themes, words, rituals, songs, day-to-day manners etc. The ODE-project groups are to define "Door Openers" for their respective country/language/culture and develop materials which will be presented on the websites of the project group. At two European partner meetings per year the materials will be tested with regard to their usability which is the basis for further development or modification.