VETNET

ECER'06 was organised during three active conference days in Geneva. This year the conference was closed alrady on Friday and no programme-related sessions took place on Saturday. Therefore, the VETNET programme was tightly packed to the the three days and most of the time there were three sessios running parallel to each other (during some slots even four sessions).

Most of the VETNET sessions were based on individual papers. However, as has been the case for many years, a considerable number or symposia and round tables were organised as well. Furthermore, some 'workshops' were piloting with a mode of work that mobilised the participants into creative group work.

The main theme of the whole conference was "Transforming knowledge". One can raise the question whether such a universal idea can be incorporated into the specific contribution for VETNET sections. Yet, when analysing the work in some sessions it is possible to note some tranisional or transformative tenedencies. To some extent this is related to the way in which 'knowledge management' or 'knowledge proesses' were related to the potentials of vocational learning. To some extent this is related to the importance of European and international cooperation in promoting knowledge enrichment. (I will explore these aspects in my forthcoming blog entries.)

One of the concerns during th preparation was the role of "European dimension" in the contributions. The main problem was how to overcome the financial restrictions that threatened to minimize the participation of European cooperation projects. Thanks to the support of the Swiss government and to the flexibility of the participants this risk was avoided. In fact, issues with strong European relevance were raised and discussed in several sessions. Furthermore, some sessions tried to take further steps towards trans-continental dialogue between European researchers and their counterparts in other global regions. (I wll also explore these aspects in my forthcoming blog entries).

One of the general issues to be considered across these reports and messages is the role of VETNET as the umbrella network for European research in vocational education and training (VET). In this respect the earlier years have alredy provided ECER an VETNET a natural role as the annual meeting point and the central platform for European researchers. Also, during the most  active years of researchers' partcipation in European programmes the role of VETNET has been crucial for 'networking the networks' and for knowledge evelopment across projects and initiatives. From this point of view both VETNET and the researchers are ging through a transitional period. However, as the VETNET plenary sessions demonstrated, the European VET researcher are geing ready to discuss new initiatives and give VETNET a more proactive role. (I will also report more on these developments in my next blogs.)

The VETNET assembly in Geneva marked the 10th anniversary of the first VETNET meeting since the network was founded by the board of the European Educational Research Association (EERA). The next ECER will mark the 10th anniversary of the presence of a VETNET programme at ECER. I hope that these 'reports and messages' will carry some impressions and experiences from Geneva to the preparation of the way forward.

Pekka Kämäräinen