1. Introduction
The European Teacher Education Network, hereafter referred to as ETEN, aims to promote a wide range of co-operative and exchange possibilities for students and staff between partners in education:
§ Institutions engaged in Higher Professional Education,
§ Local educational and social authorities, and
§ Relevant associations of teachers and social educators.
ETEN seeks and encourages cooperation with international partners. The standard working language is English.
The European Teacher Education Network, hereafter referred to as ETEN, aims to promote a wide range of co-operative and exchange possibilities for students and staff between partners in education:
§ Institutions engaged in Higher Professional Education,
§ Local educational and social authorities, and
§ Relevant associations of teachers and social educators.
ETEN seeks and encourages cooperation with international partners. The standard working language is English.
2. Vision / Mission
Vision Statement: “Global understanding through Education”
The ETEN Mission to:
§ Provide knowledge and recognition of teaching and educational work at all levels;
§ Provide status, respect and inspiration for the teacher and social educator professions;
§ Influence development and innovation of teacher and social educator education in the member countries;
§ Learn about and promote understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries, as expressed through teacher and social educator education;
§ Be pro-active in essential matters concerning national and international debates on education in general and teacher and social educator education in particular;
§ Promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of individual and/or groups of students as part of their programmes of study (inclusive of teaching experience, practical training, curriculum work and research);
§ Involve as many students as possible in ETEN programmes during their studies;
§ For each member institution individually or in co-operation with other member institutions to offer at least one international student activity within ETEN, in English, each year;
§ Promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of staff members in relation to student education, teaching, school development, curriculum development and research;
§ Involve as many staff as possible in ETEN programmes each year;
§ Promote opportunities within teacher and social educator education programmes and school practice to incorporate comparative and intercultural perspectives on education;
§ Promote opportunities for cross-national and international collaboration in research and development;
§ Provide opportunities for professional staff development;
§ Disseminate the work of ETEN in a wider educational context;
§ Describe, evaluate and report all ETEN activities on the ETEN Website, in order to assure the quality of the Network.
Vision Statement: “Global understanding through Education”
The ETEN Mission to:
§ Provide knowledge and recognition of teaching and educational work at all levels;
§ Provide status, respect and inspiration for the teacher and social educator professions;
§ Influence development and innovation of teacher and social educator education in the member countries;
§ Learn about and promote understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries, as expressed through teacher and social educator education;
§ Be pro-active in essential matters concerning national and international debates on education in general and teacher and social educator education in particular;
§ Promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of individual and/or groups of students as part of their programmes of study (inclusive of teaching experience, practical training, curriculum work and research);
§ Involve as many students as possible in ETEN programmes during their studies;
§ For each member institution individually or in co-operation with other member institutions to offer at least one international student activity within ETEN, in English, each year;
§ Promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of staff members in relation to student education, teaching, school development, curriculum development and research;
§ Involve as many staff as possible in ETEN programmes each year;
§ Promote opportunities within teacher and social educator education programmes and school practice to incorporate comparative and intercultural perspectives on education;
§ Promote opportunities for cross-national and international collaboration in research and development;
§ Provide opportunities for professional staff development;
§ Disseminate the work of ETEN in a wider educational context;
§ Describe, evaluate and report all ETEN activities on the ETEN Website, in order to assure the quality of the Network.
3. Organisation
3.1 The ECO (ETEN Co-ordinator)
Every institutional member is to appoint an ETEN Co-ordinator, hereafter referred to as the "ECO". The ECO initiates appropriate actions at his or her member organisation represented in order to realise the aims of the Network and is the representative of the member organisation at the ECO Meetings (each September). The tasks of the ECO fall into three general areas of responsibility: facilitating student and staff mobility, serving as the contact person between ETEN and the member institution, and promoting international projects. A list of ECO responsibilities will be provided to each new ECO as part of a welcome package which will be given to the ECO when an institution is accepted for membership.
3.2 The ETEN Board
The ETEN Board represents ETEN in external matters and coordinates internal affairs between ECO meetings. Also, the Board organises the official meetings. The board consists of five members, which include the Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary. To avoid a complete change of Board Members in any one year elections take place annually with two Board members elected one year and the other three members elected the following year. The Board will meet as necessary.
3.3 Election board members
Prior to ECO/TIG-leader Meeting:
§ Announcement of Board positions coming up for election will be sent out to ETEN membership at least 60 days before next meeting;
§ Individuals who are interested in running for the available Board positions may notify ETEN secretary in writing of their intentions (Nominations are also possible from the floor during ETEN meeting);
§ Individuals who choose to notify ETEN of their intention to run for the Board before the meeting may submit a 1 page biography/statement to the ETEN secretary. The ETEN secretary will email the candidate's biography/statement to the ECOs of all ETEN members.
Election at ECO/TIG-leader Meeting:
§ The ETEN Board Chair will announce the available Board seats and those nominees who have declared their intent to run as the first item on the ETEN meeting agenda;
§ Additional nominations will be taken from the floor;
§ Board candidates will be given 3 minutes to make a statement during the 30 minutes prior to the lunch break;
§ Elections by secret ballot will occur immediately after the lunch break;
§ Candidates' names will be posted for the election process;
§ The ETEN Board members and one ECO not up for election will distribute, collect and count the ballots;
§ No further discussion related to the election is permitted during the voting;
§ Only eligible ECOs (1 per institution) will be allowed to vote.
3.4 ECO and TIG Leader Meetings
ECO and TIG leader meetings are held twice a year in April and September. The Board and any ECO can suggest items for an ECO meeting. Suggestions for items from ECOs should be received by the secretariat no later than 6 weeks before an ECO meeting. The agenda for an ECO meeting should be sent out by the Secretariat and received by the ECOs no later than 3 weeks before a meeting. At the meetings the member institutions have one vote each. All decisions are to be agreed.
Matters to be considered at the ECO Meetings include:
§ Monitoring and initiating activities within ETEN;
§ Evaluation of activities;
§ Presentation and approval of the ETEN Annual Report (April Meeting);
§ Matters concerning research, development and Thematic Interest Groups (April Meeting);
§ Presentation and approval of the Annual Financial Report (April Meeting);
§ Approval of the ETEN Draft Budget (September Meeting);
§ Matters concerning student and staff mobility (September Meeting);
§ Presentation of applying organisations;
§ Reports from Thematic Interest Groups;
§ Current Reports;
§ Bi-lateral Meetings between representatives from partners (September Meeting);
§ General policy, administration and business matters (including the policy for the expansion of the Network);
If unable to attend an ECO meeting, an ECO is responsible for nominating a replacement. ECO meetings are open to ECO's accompanying colleagues.
3.5 Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs)
Groups of participants who are interested in a specific theme are called Thematic Interest Groups, or TIGs. TIGs are open to all participants who can contribute to the work. Each TIG is encouraged to use all of the co-operation possibilities to develop its work.
Each TIG is required to present definition and description:
§ Name of the TIG;
§ Vision, intentions and expected outcomes;
§ ETEN members involved (members/co-opted members);
§ Name of TIG leader(s) and contact details;
§ Time frame, plan and timetable for the TIG-meeting at the next April conference;
§ Recent activities;
§ Published reports, articles etc.;
§ Future activities
3.1 The ECO (ETEN Co-ordinator)
Every institutional member is to appoint an ETEN Co-ordinator, hereafter referred to as the "ECO". The ECO initiates appropriate actions at his or her member organisation represented in order to realise the aims of the Network and is the representative of the member organisation at the ECO Meetings (each September). The tasks of the ECO fall into three general areas of responsibility: facilitating student and staff mobility, serving as the contact person between ETEN and the member institution, and promoting international projects. A list of ECO responsibilities will be provided to each new ECO as part of a welcome package which will be given to the ECO when an institution is accepted for membership.
3.2 The ETEN Board
The ETEN Board represents ETEN in external matters and coordinates internal affairs between ECO meetings. Also, the Board organises the official meetings. The board consists of five members, which include the Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary. To avoid a complete change of Board Members in any one year elections take place annually with two Board members elected one year and the other three members elected the following year. The Board will meet as necessary.
3.3 Election board members
Prior to ECO/TIG-leader Meeting:
§ Announcement of Board positions coming up for election will be sent out to ETEN membership at least 60 days before next meeting;
§ Individuals who are interested in running for the available Board positions may notify ETEN secretary in writing of their intentions (Nominations are also possible from the floor during ETEN meeting);
§ Individuals who choose to notify ETEN of their intention to run for the Board before the meeting may submit a 1 page biography/statement to the ETEN secretary. The ETEN secretary will email the candidate's biography/statement to the ECOs of all ETEN members.
Election at ECO/TIG-leader Meeting:
§ The ETEN Board Chair will announce the available Board seats and those nominees who have declared their intent to run as the first item on the ETEN meeting agenda;
§ Additional nominations will be taken from the floor;
§ Board candidates will be given 3 minutes to make a statement during the 30 minutes prior to the lunch break;
§ Elections by secret ballot will occur immediately after the lunch break;
§ Candidates' names will be posted for the election process;
§ The ETEN Board members and one ECO not up for election will distribute, collect and count the ballots;
§ No further discussion related to the election is permitted during the voting;
§ Only eligible ECOs (1 per institution) will be allowed to vote.
3.4 ECO and TIG Leader Meetings
ECO and TIG leader meetings are held twice a year in April and September. The Board and any ECO can suggest items for an ECO meeting. Suggestions for items from ECOs should be received by the secretariat no later than 6 weeks before an ECO meeting. The agenda for an ECO meeting should be sent out by the Secretariat and received by the ECOs no later than 3 weeks before a meeting. At the meetings the member institutions have one vote each. All decisions are to be agreed.
Matters to be considered at the ECO Meetings include:
§ Monitoring and initiating activities within ETEN;
§ Evaluation of activities;
§ Presentation and approval of the ETEN Annual Report (April Meeting);
§ Matters concerning research, development and Thematic Interest Groups (April Meeting);
§ Presentation and approval of the Annual Financial Report (April Meeting);
§ Approval of the ETEN Draft Budget (September Meeting);
§ Matters concerning student and staff mobility (September Meeting);
§ Presentation of applying organisations;
§ Reports from Thematic Interest Groups;
§ Current Reports;
§ Bi-lateral Meetings between representatives from partners (September Meeting);
§ General policy, administration and business matters (including the policy for the expansion of the Network);
If unable to attend an ECO meeting, an ECO is responsible for nominating a replacement. ECO meetings are open to ECO's accompanying colleagues.
3.5 Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs)
Groups of participants who are interested in a specific theme are called Thematic Interest Groups, or TIGs. TIGs are open to all participants who can contribute to the work. Each TIG is encouraged to use all of the co-operation possibilities to develop its work.
Each TIG is required to present definition and description:
§ Name of the TIG;
§ Vision, intentions and expected outcomes;
§ ETEN members involved (members/co-opted members);
§ Name of TIG leader(s) and contact details;
§ Time frame, plan and timetable for the TIG-meeting at the next April conference;
§ Recent activities;
§ Published reports, articles etc.;
§ Future activities
4. Conference
4.1 The ETEN TIG based Conference
It is of great significance for the development of ETEN as a Network that staff of ETEN members can meet to discuss subject-based issues. Relevant guests from outside ETEN are invited to take part in the conference. The ETEN TIG-based Conference each April is a platform for TIG Seminars, each presenting their reports and future activities.
4.2 Organisation of an ETEN TIG based Conference
The ETEN TIG-based Conference is held each year in connection with the ECO April Meeting. This Conference can be a forum to provide new research and actual development, theories, knowledge, experience and ideas concerning the development of educational practices. The Conference should be introduced through a powerful theme. It may present a key speaker with an international profile followed by a plenary for discussion, questions and comments. The rest of the conference takes place as TIG seminars and might be inspired by the key speaker. The theme of a TIG-based Conference is decided in co-operation between the Board of ETEN and the ECO of the arranging member institution not later than one year before the conference. The arranging ETEN partner makes the necessary arrangements, including signing a contract with a key speaker.
Additionally, the TIG-based Conference is a forum for participants to consider:
§ Innovation and comparison in Education Issues in membership countries and
§ Subject-based academic or other relevant staff exchanges at a bi-lateral level.
4.3 TIG Responsibilities
§ The TIG is managed by one or more TIG leaders;
§ Each TIG is responsible for organizing conference sessions;
§ The TIG leader calls for papers and proposals for each conference and communicates with the TIG members about topics and procedures. At least one of the authors of each paper should register for the conference deadline. Non-registration may result in dropping the paper from the programme;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for negotiating the focus of their sessions at the conference;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for administering the evaluation of the conference sessions;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for dissemination of TIG presentations to the editorial board for publication in the conference proceedings or for JETEN;
§ The TIG leader has to ensure that the TIG has a stand-in leader in case the TIG leader is unable to fulfil these responsibilities.
In cooperation with the Board, the arranging ETEN host partner takes care of the organization of:
§ Innovation and comparison in Education Issues and
§ Subject-based academic or other relevant staff exchanges or other concerning, actual topics.
The duration of a TIG-based conference is normally two days.
4.4 Vitality of TIGs
To insure the on-going vitality of TIGs, the number of TIGs and the number of their members are regulated on a supply and demand basis. Thus, if, in two consecutive conferences, a TIG has fewer than five members, it will be considered closed. If a new TIG is formed, it will be exempt from this membership requirement for the two conferences following the date of formation of that new TIG.
4.1 The ETEN TIG based Conference
It is of great significance for the development of ETEN as a Network that staff of ETEN members can meet to discuss subject-based issues. Relevant guests from outside ETEN are invited to take part in the conference. The ETEN TIG-based Conference each April is a platform for TIG Seminars, each presenting their reports and future activities.
4.2 Organisation of an ETEN TIG based Conference
The ETEN TIG-based Conference is held each year in connection with the ECO April Meeting. This Conference can be a forum to provide new research and actual development, theories, knowledge, experience and ideas concerning the development of educational practices. The Conference should be introduced through a powerful theme. It may present a key speaker with an international profile followed by a plenary for discussion, questions and comments. The rest of the conference takes place as TIG seminars and might be inspired by the key speaker. The theme of a TIG-based Conference is decided in co-operation between the Board of ETEN and the ECO of the arranging member institution not later than one year before the conference. The arranging ETEN partner makes the necessary arrangements, including signing a contract with a key speaker.
Additionally, the TIG-based Conference is a forum for participants to consider:
§ Innovation and comparison in Education Issues in membership countries and
§ Subject-based academic or other relevant staff exchanges at a bi-lateral level.
4.3 TIG Responsibilities
§ The TIG is managed by one or more TIG leaders;
§ Each TIG is responsible for organizing conference sessions;
§ The TIG leader calls for papers and proposals for each conference and communicates with the TIG members about topics and procedures. At least one of the authors of each paper should register for the conference deadline. Non-registration may result in dropping the paper from the programme;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for negotiating the focus of their sessions at the conference;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for administering the evaluation of the conference sessions;
§ The TIG leader is responsible for dissemination of TIG presentations to the editorial board for publication in the conference proceedings or for JETEN;
§ The TIG leader has to ensure that the TIG has a stand-in leader in case the TIG leader is unable to fulfil these responsibilities.
In cooperation with the Board, the arranging ETEN host partner takes care of the organization of:
§ Innovation and comparison in Education Issues and
§ Subject-based academic or other relevant staff exchanges or other concerning, actual topics.
The duration of a TIG-based conference is normally two days.
4.4 Vitality of TIGs
To insure the on-going vitality of TIGs, the number of TIGs and the number of their members are regulated on a supply and demand basis. Thus, if, in two consecutive conferences, a TIG has fewer than five members, it will be considered closed. If a new TIG is formed, it will be exempt from this membership requirement for the two conferences following the date of formation of that new TIG.
5. General procedures and commitments
5.1 Procedures
The Network programmes operate through a series of bi-lateral institutional agreements monitored and revised according to need. The ETEN co-operation programme is to stimulate groups of ETEN partners to apply for funding from appropriate agencies. Information and Communication Technology should be used in accordance with the different activities of the Network. The general procedures and commitments are student mobility, staff mobility and publications.
5.2 Student mobility
Student mobility takes place in accordance with bi-lateral institutional agreement and may vary per institutional exchange.
5.3 Staff mobility
The visit of staff members from ETEN partners is to be effected on the basis of selection by the home organisation according to the needs and requirements of the host organisation.
5.4 Publications
The results of ETEN Activities and associated papers are published on the Web site (click on PUBLICATIONS).
ETEN is responsible for the publishing the on-line publication JETEN. At the Web site there are guidelines and editing procedures for ETEN publications.
5.1 Procedures
The Network programmes operate through a series of bi-lateral institutional agreements monitored and revised according to need. The ETEN co-operation programme is to stimulate groups of ETEN partners to apply for funding from appropriate agencies. Information and Communication Technology should be used in accordance with the different activities of the Network. The general procedures and commitments are student mobility, staff mobility and publications.
5.2 Student mobility
Student mobility takes place in accordance with bi-lateral institutional agreement and may vary per institutional exchange.
5.3 Staff mobility
The visit of staff members from ETEN partners is to be effected on the basis of selection by the home organisation according to the needs and requirements of the host organisation.
5.4 Publications
The results of ETEN Activities and associated papers are published on the Web site (click on PUBLICATIONS).
ETEN is responsible for the publishing the on-line publication JETEN. At the Web site there are guidelines and editing procedures for ETEN publications.
6. Membership
6.1 Admission Conditions and Procedures:
§ ETEN membership is open to Universities, Higher Education Colleges and Advanced Education Institutions, educating and training teachers and/or social educators, local educational and social authorities, and relevant associations of teachers and social educators. To widen the co-operation perspectives, the Network also comprises ETEN members from outside Europe.
§ Admission can take place through application or invitation.
§ Application for admission is to be addressed to the Secretariat.
§ The Board will decide whether or not to invite potential members to an ETEN meeting as guests to present their organisation.
§ The final decision whether to accept an applicant will be decided by the Board in consultation with the members.
§ The educational ETEN members should use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) or other similar systems.
6.2 Criteria for Admission:
§ An applicant is involved in education or training teachers and/or social educators on nationally recognized programmes or represents additional fields of expertise within education.
§ An applicant must be able to document in which academic discipline the she or he is engaged or if she or he has special experiences, which can be offered within the ETEN co-operation.
§ Staff and students of the members must be able to understand and speak English at such a level that it is possible to exchange experiences and opinions in a professional and educationally relevant way.
§ An applicant must be ready to earmark the necessary resources to join the ECO-TIG Leader meetings each September.
§ The ETEN membership agreement is entered into for a period of two years, from January 1st and shall be extended automatically unless notice of cancellation is given to the Secretariat before January 1st.
6.3 Affiliate Membership:
§ Affiliate membership status shall be granted to individual schools and other organizations that do not qualify for regular membership under Article 6.1 but which have aims that are consistent with those of ETEN and which are nominated and recommended by a regular ETEN member.
§ Affiliate members will be granted full access to the ETEN website and to all resources afforded full members.
§ Affiliate members may send a representative to all ECO-TIG Leader meetings, and may also share their views and opinions at meetings. However, such a representative may not cast a ballot on any matters brought to a vote, including elections.
§ Affiliate members may attend the ETEN conference and submit proposals for presentation.
§ Affiliate members may also have their papers selected for publication in the JETEN journal.
§ Affiliate members cannot be elected for the Board in ETEN.
Application for Affiliate Membership will be the same as for regular members.
6.4 ETEN Alumni
To support ETEN, former ECOs, TIG Leaders, and others who have been active within ETEN and are retired from their respective institutions can join the ETEN Alumni. Alumni members have the possibility to meet every year in connection with the TIG-based Conferences and have the possibility of attending the ECO-TIG Leader meetings with no voting rights.
6.1 Admission Conditions and Procedures:
§ ETEN membership is open to Universities, Higher Education Colleges and Advanced Education Institutions, educating and training teachers and/or social educators, local educational and social authorities, and relevant associations of teachers and social educators. To widen the co-operation perspectives, the Network also comprises ETEN members from outside Europe.
§ Admission can take place through application or invitation.
§ Application for admission is to be addressed to the Secretariat.
§ The Board will decide whether or not to invite potential members to an ETEN meeting as guests to present their organisation.
§ The final decision whether to accept an applicant will be decided by the Board in consultation with the members.
§ The educational ETEN members should use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) or other similar systems.
6.2 Criteria for Admission:
§ An applicant is involved in education or training teachers and/or social educators on nationally recognized programmes or represents additional fields of expertise within education.
§ An applicant must be able to document in which academic discipline the she or he is engaged or if she or he has special experiences, which can be offered within the ETEN co-operation.
§ Staff and students of the members must be able to understand and speak English at such a level that it is possible to exchange experiences and opinions in a professional and educationally relevant way.
§ An applicant must be ready to earmark the necessary resources to join the ECO-TIG Leader meetings each September.
§ The ETEN membership agreement is entered into for a period of two years, from January 1st and shall be extended automatically unless notice of cancellation is given to the Secretariat before January 1st.
6.3 Affiliate Membership:
§ Affiliate membership status shall be granted to individual schools and other organizations that do not qualify for regular membership under Article 6.1 but which have aims that are consistent with those of ETEN and which are nominated and recommended by a regular ETEN member.
§ Affiliate members will be granted full access to the ETEN website and to all resources afforded full members.
§ Affiliate members may send a representative to all ECO-TIG Leader meetings, and may also share their views and opinions at meetings. However, such a representative may not cast a ballot on any matters brought to a vote, including elections.
§ Affiliate members may attend the ETEN conference and submit proposals for presentation.
§ Affiliate members may also have their papers selected for publication in the JETEN journal.
§ Affiliate members cannot be elected for the Board in ETEN.
Application for Affiliate Membership will be the same as for regular members.
6.4 ETEN Alumni
To support ETEN, former ECOs, TIG Leaders, and others who have been active within ETEN and are retired from their respective institutions can join the ETEN Alumni. Alumni members have the possibility to meet every year in connection with the TIG-based Conferences and have the possibility of attending the ECO-TIG Leader meetings with no voting rights.
7. Finances and Administration
7.1 Membership fee
In order to meet the costs of administering the Network, each partner and affiliate partner is to contribute an annual membership fee, to be fixed at each September meeting. Affiliate partners will pay 75% of the fee of regular members. The fee is calculated according to a scale based on the GDP of the country to which the member belongs. The scale refers to the rankings from the International Human Development Indicators (CLICK HERE to check your country's rank). There are three levels of fee: Full fee (Ranks 1-39), half fee (40-78) and one sixth fee (79 and higher). The Board is to propose the fees for the coming financial year at the September ECO and TIG Leader Meetings.
7.2 The Secretariat
The Secretariat consists of the Board Chairperson and the ETEN Secretary. The latter, unlike the Board Secretary, has an overall remit within the Network. The duties of the ETEN Secretary and the associated costs are decided by the Board.
March 2016
(Last revision: September 2015)
7.1 Membership fee
In order to meet the costs of administering the Network, each partner and affiliate partner is to contribute an annual membership fee, to be fixed at each September meeting. Affiliate partners will pay 75% of the fee of regular members. The fee is calculated according to a scale based on the GDP of the country to which the member belongs. The scale refers to the rankings from the International Human Development Indicators (CLICK HERE to check your country's rank). There are three levels of fee: Full fee (Ranks 1-39), half fee (40-78) and one sixth fee (79 and higher). The Board is to propose the fees for the coming financial year at the September ECO and TIG Leader Meetings.
7.2 The Secretariat
The Secretariat consists of the Board Chairperson and the ETEN Secretary. The latter, unlike the Board Secretary, has an overall remit within the Network. The duties of the ETEN Secretary and the associated costs are decided by the Board.
March 2016
(Last revision: September 2015)