1st Erasmus+ PINN Learning Exchange Visit to Norway May 2018

May 2018- The First PINN learning exchange to the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, Norway has been a successful one. From research presentations, debates, discussions and visits, to family support and educational settings, the learning exchange is building knowledge and best practice at home and abroad for Prevention and Early Invention programmes and projects. 

In May 2018, 3 professionals from our member organisations represented PEIN in the first Learning Exchange Visit of the PINN Project, which was hosted by the Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU) at UiT, the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, Norway.

Our Participants included: Aileen Kelleher, ABC Start Right Early Years Coordinator, Tara Scott, Programme Manager, Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative, and Vicki Monkhouse, Early Years and Schools Programme Officer, Northside Partnership.

The 12 participants from Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands and Portugal experienced a 3-day programme of discussion, debate, research presentations, visits to local education and family support settings and sharing of practice experiences.

Everyone appreciated the diversity of presentations and the attention to linking research findings to practice and professional development.

Participants sharing knowledge at round table session

The visit to the Stakkevollan Family House was one of the main highlights. There, the participants met two expert practitioners who passionately described the range of activities and services they provide for free, to support all parents in the neighborhood. Everyone was struck by the calm, welcoming atmosphere of the Family House and attention paid to including specialist support professionals who were regularly available to all families attending.

Throughout the days spent in Tromsø, everyone was also struck by the value given to nature and culture in children’s lives in the Norway. They heard about families with young children meeting together to enjoy cooking around a fire in the snow in early Spring, and they spotted lots of young children enjoying climbing, building, digging outdoors wherever they went.

This was the first of 4 learning exchange visits, which should contribute to long-term and sustained positive impact on the wider fields of prevention and early intervention in partner countries.

Reports and Presentations 

Report from Tromso Learning Visit

Participants Reflections on their Learning Visit – Presentation by Tara Scott – Childhood Development Initiative, Aileen Kelleher – ABC Start Right & Vicky Monkhouse – Preparing for Life. 

Incredible Years for the Promotion of Mental Health: An implementation and research project in Portugal – Presentation by Maria J. Seabra-Santos, Maria Filomena Gaspar & Joana Guerra, University of Coimbra.

Jes Rijnland Dutch Parenting and Home Visiting Programme –  Presentation by Fariidah van Leeuwen

PINN is funded by the European Commission Erasmus Plus Programme – Strategic Partnerships for School Education – Exchange of Practices. The EC – Erasmus Plus logo will be used for any (internal or external) deliverable, report and dissemination tool, together with the following statement:

“With the support of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union”

“The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein”.