1. OVERVIEW
2. HECOS LEARNING EXPERIENCES
3. STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPANTSSTAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPANTS
4. HECOS LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. OVERVIEW
The HECOS approach to training envisions a learning path that links individual and social learning, fosters symmetrical teaching/learning relations and is participatory and learner-centered. The training is holistic and process-oriented, close to real-life concerns, experiential and oriented towards learning-by-doing. It is voluntary, uses intercultural exchanges and encounters as learning devices, and aims above all to convey and practice the values and skills of democratic life.
HECOS for Ethics’ training methodology is based on a three stage-learning path. The three stages are sequential: 1) non-formal training, 2) informal experience, 3) final assessment.
Non-Formal Training
Non-formal training is a classroom training course based on non-formal education methods. This course aims at training and preparing HECOS participants for the following stage of training: an experience at the field level. This training includes nine thematic modules. Each module includes a set of topics related to policies, practices and relevant discussions at the international, regional and national levels.
Informal Experience
After the non-formal training, each participant is given the opportunity to go through a field experience where they can learn from a case study related to the theme that they have been working on in the classroom. Potential Informal training venues include scenarios where CSOs or governmental institutions carry out their initiatives related to vulnerable contexts and communities around the world. Informal training can take place at the local, national, regional or international level.
Final Assessment
The last step of an HECOS experience is a final assessment of participants learning outcomes and competences developed throughout the earlier stages of the experience. The main purpose is to support the participants in recognising and acknowledging the personal transformation triggered by a HECOS for Ethics experience.
2. HECOS LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Taking into consideration availability of time and preferred topics, it is possible to choose one out of four HECOS Experiences. Each of these options is aligned with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) framework.
Thus, by attending Option A, B, C or D participants will accumulate different amounts of credits (see table 1).
HECOS Experience | ||||
Stage | Option A | Option B | Option C | Option D |
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1. Non-Formal Training | 40 | 30 | 20 | 18 |
2. Informal Training | 100 | 56 | 40 | 30 |
3. Final assessment | 8 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
Total (h) | 148 | 94 | 64 | 50 |
ECTS (1ECTS=30h) |
5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Table 1. Hecos for Ethics credits
3. STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPANTS
Ideally, throughout the three-step training process a partnership should be developed with business companies, commerce and industry chambers, training providers and civil society organisations:
- Companies, Universities and NGOs making the decision to engage HECOS and to take the lead of the process (individually or as a group); mapping a group of participants and drawing a HECOS experience plan based on group and institutional expectations (area/module, timeframe, schedule, group of trainers, informal training context and location);
- Training providers/Universities preparing and facilitating non-formal training as well as conducting the final learning assessment. Alternatively, the training can be ensured by a consultant or independent trainers willing to work pro-bono. It is up to the leading organisation which is more suitable.
- NGOs and other civil society organisations hosting a participant during their informal experience in local development or international development cooperation programmes/ projects implemented in a Global South context. CSOs should support the non-formal trainings particularly in aspects related to national/ local context and their scope of work..
4. HECOS LEARNING OUTCOMES
All training modules are planned to correspond to a level 6 learning experience within the European Qualification Framework. As with the rest of the 8 EQF levels, level 6 “is defined by a set of descriptors indicating the learning outcomes relevant to qualifications at that level in any system of qualifications”. By engaging in a HECOS experience, a participant can achieve a range of competences related with sustainability by concluding the three stage process.
Cross-cutting Key Competences
Competences | Description |
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Inspiring people to participate |
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Strategic thinking (anticipation, longterm vision, critical thinking) |
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Interdisciplinary work |
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Cooperation in heterogeneous groups |
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Systemic thinking and handling complexity |
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Developing innovative projects |
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Open minded and tolerance |
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Acting fairly and ecologically |
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Communication |
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Evaluation and information analysis |
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Concept sustainability |
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Topic related | |
Rules, regulations, standards |
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Fact and figures |
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Country/ context/organization specifics |
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