Aims of the course(s) The overall purpose of the project is to offer an in-service accredited training course for teachers that aims to raise awareness of the significant social changes that have taken place in recent times as a consequence of the increasing ethnic, racial, linguistic and cultural diversity of the European population

The course(s) will: o help develop an understanding of ways in which educational institutions respond, or should respond to the corresponding in- crease in the diversity and complexity of educational needs o focus upon ways in which education prac- tioners can achieve changes in working practices and curricula in order to better reflect the needs of the population as a whole

The course will: o explore the continuing prevalence of racism in society and help to promote an understanding of its operation within education systems. o examine the cumulative effects of racism and educational disadvantage from early years through to adult education and lifelong learning o focus upon creating an agenda for institutional change based upon the need to value and promote diversity, and to challenge racism

The course hopes to: examine issues of race and diversity in the context of education raise awareness of interculturalism and inclusive education practices develop, test and implement an accredited in-service training programme on Intercul- tural Education

The course hopes to provide opportunities for teachers in participating countries to explore, share and develop positive pedagogic strategies to promote intercultural education offer a range of practical resources and approa- ches to assist in the development of inclusive curricula and pedagogies develop a cohesive system of online tutorial sup- port for course participants

Venues October 2003 in Athens April 2003 in Budapest October 2004 (Copenhagen or Karmøy, Norway)

Target groups Teachers in primary, secondary and adult education sectors as well as language advisers Education staff with specific delegated re- sponsibility for managing education provi- sion for ethnic minority learners Each course to have course partici- pants

Impact of the training course raise awareness of education, race and ethnicity enhance the capacity of course participants to take informed decisions and hence adopt appropriate teaching and learning strategies to benefit all learners raise the cross-cultural capabilities and encourage intercultural dialogue between the participants

Impact of the training course enable course participants to develop a range of practical resource on a on-going basis and cas- cade their enhanced understanding and skills to other colleagues encourage continued participation and network- ing of the course participants on specific areas of research and practical activities envisage that such an interaction will lead to the development of further transnational educational partnerships based on contact made through the course,hopefully resulting in Comenius 1.1 and Comenius 1.3 projects