One of the Institute`s aims is to develop ideas about how to communicate information and knowledge which is continuously generated by all colleagues, who work in various fields of education and youth-work, using the outdoors as an instrument of psycho-social development.

Nearly every day projects produce a lot of practical knowledge, innovations, ideas, abilities, results of experiments, forms of problem solving and so forth, which are all helpful and important for understanding and developing the concept of the outdoors as a form of pedagogic intervention. But mainly all these kinds of knowledge remain individual and local (project-) knowledge. To make it usable for all e.g. to transform it into collective knowledge we need processes in which all the existing project knowledges are recognised and gathered systematically in order then to be generalized carefully.

In the next years the institute wants to focus on such a kind of knowledge management. The first step to build up networks of mutual knowledge-transfer we will do in October 2001 (see page 2/3). The long-ranged aim of this effort is the forming of an European community of educational outdoor-praxis which exchanges and changes its knowledge continuously.

The board

We are very happy to announce the following news:

In November 2000 the European Institute for the first time received a grant agreement from the European Commission in Brussels under the budget line „Support for international non-governmental youth organisations". Support is given to cover running costs of our association for the year 2000. At least a small amount of our expenses for developing the European network is now financed. We still appreciate the high personal and financial effort of board members as well as some individual members or member organisations. A detailed report of the Institutes` activities and developments in 2000 has been sent to the European Commission together with the new application for a grant in 2001. We are optimistic to be supported this year as well. For this reason it became possible to employ Carla Sack further on in 2001. She will stay the contacting and coordinating person in our international secretariat.

We are very pleased that the existence of our organisation is now also acknowledged from the European youth policy.

The last board meeting took place from December 16th-17th 2000 in Vienna / Austria. Günter Amesberger was so kind to arrange the facilities for the meeting at the Institute of Physical Education at University of Vienna and to house the whole board.

At first the board evaluated the 4th Eurocongress „Other Ways of Learning" in Rimforsa / Sweden last September. Even though some organisational problems arose and the wide range of participants` expectations have not been fulfilled in all points the conference was a great success and a further step to develop the European network in the field of outdoor education. Important new contacts originated from the congress as well as a broad exchange of knowledge and information happened. Continuing this positive development some points have to be taken into consideration for future activities:

After this evaluation the board prepared the next conference in Marburg discussing its contents. An interesting discussion arose during the attempt of finding exact names for the discussion groups. The term "Prevention" e.g. in the context of youth work does not equally mean the same in English, German or Netherland youth policy. It provides different associations. The conference wants to continue such an exchange of different cultural backgrounds and strategies of social work with the outdoors.

Further on the board discussed the web site server transfer and changes of homepage, a project pre-proposal for the European Commission as well as financial developments of the Institute. The Newsletter provides you with details of these topics in separate articles.

At the moment the Institutes homepage is under reconstruction. After several problems with the transfer of the server from Finland to UK, Dorin Festeu is working on re-launching the homepage. As soon as the process is finished we will announce it again to all members. You are invited to have a look at the contents and changes and to send your comments to Dorin: dfeste01@bcuc.ac.uk

From October, 4^th-8^th 2001 the EOE in cooperation with the German organisation bsj organises its next conference in Marburg / Germany under the title: „Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning in Youth Exchange Projects – Building up European Networks of Knowledge Transfer".

Aim of the conference is to enhance international networks and to establish solid working structures between professionals from different countries. Professionals who use elements/methods of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning in European contexts and in transnational exchange programmes, especially those who work with disadvantaged youth, will have the possibility to

At the end of the conference collaborations, exchange programmes, joint projects or innovative networks should be established. We are particularly keen to attract colleagues who work in youth welfare organisations or in further / higher education and training courses in European countries.

The conference includes keynotes, discussions in interest groups and practical workshops. Central point will be the discussions in interest groups. Participants can choose one group of the following sections:

During two days (5th/6th October) the interest groups will discuss their concepts intensively. Starting with presenting their own work (theoretical concept, methods, activities, problems...), the group should find subjects of common interest to work further on and end up with the development of concrete planning of a joint project which the participants will realize in the following year(s). The results will be presented to the plenary on 7th October.

For this conference we applied for a grant at the German Agency „Youth for Europe" and expect the final decision at the end of March. If accepted we are able to offer between 50 to 60% of the travelling costs and all costs for accommodation in a youth hostel and for the meals. Accommodation in Hotels is possible but has to be paid by the participants themselves.

Interested persons or organisations are welcome to contact the coordinating office in Marburg kontakt@bsj-marburg.de for further questions.

The board seizes the opportunity of the conference in Marburg to realize the annual general meeting of the European Institute. All members are invited to take part in the meeting just following the end of the conference on Sunday, 7^th October 2001, at 4 pm. The board will give a report of its work and an overview over new developments. Proposals for discussion points at the meeting should be sent to Carla Sack: kontakt@bsj-marburg.de.

The only e-mail address that works in our EOE office is kontakt@bsj-marburg.de. Please do not use our old address bsj_ALEA@compuserve.com anymore. It is cancelled!

With the support of EOE board, Dorin Festeu submitted a pre-proposal at the European Commission for the establishment of a Thematic Network under Socrates-Erasmus-Programmes.

The main aim of this Thematic Network is to define and develop the European dimension of an alternative education through outdoor activities. At the beginning of the third millennium Europe is heading towards the network society characterised by the network of production, the differentiation of consumption, the de-centring of power and the individualisation of experience.

Through co-operation between universities throughout Europe we are aiming at offering an alternative way of preparing the young generation to integrate more harmoniously within this new society.

The pursuit of three objectives will facilitate the achievement of our goal:

The envisaged outcomes of the Thematic Network encompasses:

For detailed information about this project please contact Dorin Festeu dfeste01@bcuc.ac.uk

Finnmark College in collaboration with the Program for Cultural Research by the Research Council of Norway has the pleasure of inviting you to the international symposium on „Nature and Identity", September, 6-9, 2001, in Alta, Norway.

Finnmark College, Norway, is located far north of the Arctic Circle and in the centre of the "Barents Region" (the North of the Fennoscandia- and Kola Peninsula). This location makes debates about nature in cultural and geographical border areas particularly pertinent. The different meanings of nature can be made visible through cultural expressions and the understanding of reality among different ethnic groups, as well as the interplay between local and regional conditions, and national and global discourses and trends. The theme of the interdisciplinary symposium is to present contributions that explore and elaborate cultural constructions of nature; how different groups of people construct different understandings and concepts of nature, and to discuss "the local and the regional" in relation to national and global perspectives and transformations. The Program for Cultural Research by the Research Council of Norway and Finnmark College financially support the symposium, and the organisers belong to the departments of cultural studies, sport studies and tourism at Finnmark College.

The aim of the symposium is to present a selected number of papers with time for discussions after each. The symposium will be open to a limited number of participants. An excursion to a Sami village and tourist destination will be organised as a part of the symposium. The contributions will be published in a series of books produced by the Program for Cultural Research in collaboration with the Norwegian Academic Press.

This theme gives the opportunity to explore the knowledge and significance of nature within the traditional cultures of the Arctic (e.g. the Sami, the Inuit, the Nenets and the Komi), both in a historical and contemporary perspective. One main aspect might be to focus on the role of nature in processes of resistance and revitalisation of traditional cultures in a modern world. Another aspect might be how the younger generations relate to the narratives of traditional use of nature and whether and how these stories make any sense in their own use of nature, and in their construction and understanding of themselves and their reality.

This theme will explore where nature ends, and culture starts, and how different groups of people relate to nature and use nature as a reference point for the construction of their own identities. How does this go on in a context where nature is controlled, reconstructed and manipulated, invaded by technology, and governed by modern bureaucracy? This also raises questions about what is ‘natural’, what is artificial, who has the power to define nature, how do these definitions relate to different stakeholders, and to what extent are humans determined by nature? To what extent should humans create and control nature?

Nature as a gendered phenomenon can be explored and approached from different perspectives. One aspect might be to explore the various metaphors used, and their relationship to different notions of what it means to be a woman on the one hand and a man on the other. Another dimension might be the relationship between the "land-as-a-woman" symbolism and the development of outdoor adventure as a male privilege.

The above themes could be understood as discourses about hegemony; about who has the right and the responsibility to control nature. The concept of nature as ‘otherness’ to humanity can be seen as indispensable. However, many would question whether one could draw such a rigid divide. Ecological writers and thinkers frequently work implicitly with an idea of nature as a kind of pristine otherness to human culture. This sequence of the symposium will draw attention to alternatives and to discourses on how to reconnect the separation of nature and culture.

Organising committee:

Arvid Viken (tourism)

Tor Larsen (vice dean)

Stein Roar Mathisen (cultural studies)

Kirsti Pedersen (sport studies)

Ole Johansen (secretary)

For further information please contact Kirsti Pedersen: kirstip@hifm.no

KOTA, founded in 1991, is a registered association providing expertise and services for the well-being of children and youth.

The association aims to forward the well-being of children and youth by developing their social skills and by supporting their growth.

In co-operation with organisations in the educational, social and caring sectors, the KOTA association produces activity programmes and education and development services based on adventure education, networking and the improvement of social skills.

Kota is also a member of national child welfare organization Lastensuojelun Keskusliitto (LSKL) and member of youth work organization Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö Allianssi r.y.

The activities of the KOTA association can be divided into three sub-areas:

1. Koija services

• The Koija service programme has been created to help and support professionals working for the well-being of children and youth.
• Koija provides an opportunity to promote the social skills of children and youth and to improve the outcome of educational and social work.
• The Koija services are based on a framework created by the KOTA association and on methodical professional competence. The services are realised together with the customer.

The KOTA Association has carried out research and development activities in the following areas:

• suitability and effectiveness of functional methods in different connections,
• applying methods of adventure education to different customer groups,
• building of networks of professionals who are working for the well-being of children and youth,
• improving the quality management- and operation systems of organisations,
• advancing the national and international adventure education and outdoor learning.

The Koija programme is based on social pedagogic work orientation aiming to guide groups or individuals to self-help. Social pedagogy is visible in activities carried out with the target groups: the emphasis is on group work and a sense of community. The contents of Koija are implemented in an active way in the target groups – experience-based learning is employed by using the methods of adventure education. The process participants are engaged to all activity phases: planning, implementation and evaluation.

Koija is a service programme provided by the KOTA association. Koija combines work method development with education, research and product development.

Koija activities are based on a use theory developed by the KOTA association. A central notion in the theory is the home, a metaphor for a good life and security. In its activities, Koija aims to provide each individual and group with an experience of a common space. A safe, personal space enables the child or young person to grow and develop. The common space is a centre from where the territory towards the environment is then expanded. A feeling of participation and attachment, together with the acquired skills, adds to the management of everyday life.

The services offered by Koija are based on a framework created by the KOTA association and on methodical professional competence. The services are always carried out in co-operation with the customer.

1. Getting Through Programme for comprehensive schools

• Improving pupils’ social skills
• Supporting and developing the teacher’s job
• Developing new work methods as part of the curriculum
• Producing programme materials that can be used nation-widely
• Creating local and sub-regional networks
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme to the teaching work and the well-being of pupils will be conducted in co-operation with the Turku University Department of Teacher Education