How do I organise events in such a way that they inspire people? This is not a trivial question. International cooperation relies on good responses. Lively and creative processes inspire the social dialogue at the heart of the European Centre for Workers' Questions (EZA). People involved in trade unions and other workers’ organisations experimented with new perspectives at a second course on ‘Adult education on European social dialogue in the digital era’ at the Nell-Breuning-Haus (NBH) The course was funded by the European Union.
Ilona Arcaro from TH Köln (Cologne University of Applied Sciences) and Norbert Klein from EZA provided some suggestions and guided the group. The participants felt the power of creative approaches from the outset. Instead of a traditional round of introductions, the attendees were invited to introduce themselves using photos that Ilona Arcaro had laid out. The personal stories appealed to a more emotional aspect and intellect in a totally different way, and remained a topic of conversation.
This stimulating experience was the perfect impetus for participants to familiarise themselves with theories on event planning and methodology. The event then turned to more practical activities. Small teams were formed to devise and plan conferences for specific target groups. Feedback rounds also helped the groups to make good progress with this task. Tips provided by Ilona Arcaro and Norbert Klein completed the process.
The exercise focussed on the topics that actually concern participants in their work of representing workers’ interests in their respective countries. The topics of discussion were as diverse as the digitalisation of agriculture, the coexistence of generations in trade unions, the recruitment of young teachers and women in management positions. Fascinating themes that have now been assessed and finalised.
The presentation of their interim results was also varied and imaginative. Some gave a report on personal role models for example, while others showed a video they had created at short notice. The participants explored the subject matter in greater depth to develop a genuinely inspiring event concept. They learnt from each other: the younger ones on how to master technology, and the older participants shared their experience.
At the end of the event, the participants were motivated to continue their own work, encouraged by the realisation of what it’s like to organise conferences and seminars differently to how they have done things before. Contacts and relationships in international cooperation in the EZA network were also consolidated with this refreshing momentum. So this is true in more ways than one: social dialogue in Europe is therefore continuing on many levels!