Help and Learn - Empowerment by Networking People and Knowledge in Europe

[Michael Junghans]

Goal:

>Networking of People and Knowledge in Europe<
The project >LEARN and HELP< is based on the following premise:

Instead of thinking in the traditional terms of deficits of human beings we are convinced by the social work approach of empowerment:

All citizens have two resources: knowledge and learning creativity. They can learn from each other and they can help mutually.

According to national studies millions of European citizens are engaged in voluntary civil work to support other people by teaching children, by caring for other people, by doing activities in social services and so on.

The main goal of the project concept >HELP and LEARN< is the promotion of >Networking of People and Knowledge in Europe< of well developed “strong” with less developed “weak” social institutions and projects all over Europe by a one-to-one connection.

Networking of people means to bring together persons from one social institution & project directly with persons from another social institution & project. It is a face-to-face connecting process. The networking is based on personal confidence and reliability so that a direct learning process is initiated by the exchange of counseling, ideas and best practice is possible.

Networking of knowledge means the face-to-face transfer of theoretical ideas, best practice experiences and other methods from one single social institution & project to another one.

This LEARN-and-HELP networking will be a win-win-relation for both sides by helping and learning from each other and it will reinforce the civil sector of the European Society.

The bilateral network cooperation will be supported by firms and company's with social responsibility as a third partner.

The advantage for the third partner is the flexible selection of a "corporate citizenship" (representative, regional and international).

What do you think about it?


Kind regards from Berlin,

Michael Junghans

[TOM Merilahti]

Hi Michael,

Thank you very much for sharing the LEARN & HELP idea with us. Personally I think that the basic idea is very good, and as a project I'd personally want to "siculize" in a form or another. Please tell us more about who are behind the concept >>> project?

[Michael Junghans]

Hello Tom,
thank you for your answer.
The project was initiated from the Europe Institute for Social Work.
About the Institute
Best wishes
Michael

[Mark Carter]

I love the idea, it seems interesting and VERY beneficial on a few levels.

For one, the fact that people are learning and "networking" for reasons besides typical business (to sell products or services) and creating a bond around social institutions is great. People can get to know each other based on their passions and community service.

Also--people are learning instead of just connecting once in a while. I would imagine that can only strengthen their bonds.

Michael--please keep me posted with regards to the project, I'm anxious to hear more.

Mark Carter
[e-mail]

[Derek Day]

Hi Michael

Thank you for posting this. I am very keen to develop a more sophisticated and subtle model of networking
I think too many people disregard networking as a valuable long-term development tool. Useful for developing yourself, others and organisations/collectives.
I am really intrigued by the learn & help approach and I would love to hear more.

Best wishes
Derek

[Michael Junghans]

Dear Derek, dear Mr. Cartner,

thank you very much for your comments.
Of course, this project contains many benefices on several levels.
By creating bonds there exist a developing action between both social partners. These development can be joined in different ways and different helping hands. This work is transparent and gives an open view. Learning by seeing and understanding. Helping to transfer values.

What could be your interest to support this project?
More details coming soon.

Best wishes

Michael

[Michael Junghans]

Dear group members,

there are many good projects in Europe which could be helped and which are meaningfully to support.
We connect them (starting at first a binational partnership) and add other projects (from a similarly background), firms, federations, organizations, or other interested groups to support the working power of the actors.

What is relevant for us is the learning aspect to all that are involved.
Every partnership will get a "patronage" and the scientific help from our institute and/or other interested universities in Europe.
Some new facts are, that we will start with projects which work with kids and youngsters. These projects should take place in a capitol of Europe.

Help and Learn is a social tool that allows us to learn by helping.

For more informations please contact me.
I wish you a prosperous, healthy and successful new year.
From Berlin

Michael