EUROPEA
EUROPEA is an association working for the development of vocational education and training (VET) in the green sector of Europe. This sector covers a wide field of professions within agriculture, horticulture, forestry etc.
At present, EUROPEA organizes 25 national EUROPEA networks, which represent over 1.200 vocational schools and institutions all over Europe.
EUROPEA offers:
- A network of European colleagues committed to international cooperation and sharing of knowledge.
- An effective framework for international cooperation in projects funded by the EU and other agencies.
- Advocacy vis-à-vis the EU institutions.
EUROPEA is about networking
In benefit of the national members, EUROPEA stage the following activities on a regular basis:
- Two bi-annual meetings for the membership. The program may include knowledge exchange on vital developments in the green sector, didactical and pedagogical issues. Often, interesting and challenging excursions may be found in the program too.
- Professional competitions for green VET students in disciplines such as Forestry, Wine growing and tasting, Agriculture, Landscaping, Agro-Mechanics, Floristry and Agrolympics.
- National and individual members of EUROPEA communicate via an intranet provided by TeamEngine Workspace.
- The legal framework
Established in 1992, EUROPEA activities are based in a set of legally approved Statutes and some Internal Regulations. The governing body is the annual General Assembly attended by the National Coordinator from each member country. EUROPEA is headed by a 6-month Presidency that follows the rotation schedule of the European Council.
An Executive Committee headed by a Secretary General manages day-to-day operations of the association. An Editorial Group is responsible for the website and social media.
EUROPEA Netherlands
Goals:
- Promote national and international contacts and exchanges between schools for green education (agriculture and horticulture, "Land-based" schools).
- Exchange of knowledge.
- Support / or establish thematic networks.
- Exchange of students and teachers.
- Developing joint training programs or encouraging mutual participation.
- Using European funding programs.
- Develop common certificates and learning units.
- Developing a European dimension in education and the creation of transnational partnerships.
- Develop a European dimension of the cooperation between education and business in the green sector.
- Promotion of language learning.
- Developing 'open' education.
Terra too is member of EUROPEA NL, together with nine AOC’s, Aeres University (training of green teachers), InHolland, Wageningen University, van Hall Larenstein and SUSP. Terra has been closely involved with Europea since its inception. From the beginning, staff from Terra has sat on the national and/ or international board.