1. Let s Work Together action group in UTA

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1 1. Let s Work Together action group in UTA Founded in autumn 2015 by volunteers in School of Education (EDU) Main activities until autumn 2016 Lifelong learning and education: asylum seekers have been participating the courses of EDU as unofficial students. The participants have been granted an (unofficial) certificate for their attendance. Early childhood education: students of ECE have organized lessons and events for asylum seeking children as part of their studies. Some students have volunteered in kids activity club in a reception centre. Academic discussion sessions, several theses on going Collaborators in UTA: language centre, social work, Finnish language; outside UTA: Red Cross, Reception centres, City of Tampere, Adult and Vocational education institutes ; Collegues in European universities

2 Spring Semester (9 Jan 28 May 2017) Lifelong Learning and Education KASSA3 Education, work and culture (5 ECTS). On this course the aim is to reflect cross-cultural interpretations of the meaning of work and education (in collaboration with social work and Finnish language ) KASA6 Learning Communities and Social Interaction 5 ECTS. Some sessions may be open to asylum seekers and refugees. Early Childhood Education KASVAR6 Play as cultural, developmental and pedagogical phenomenon (5 ECTS) On this course the students organize a play day for asylum seeker children. KASVAR9 The development of the language, children s literature and drama (5 ECTS) On this course there will be exercises of Finnish as a second language and puppet shows for asylum seeking families. English in Language Center KKENVAL4 Dialogue: Constructive Talk at Work (2 ECTS)

3 All through the Academic Year KASSG Master s theses and seminar (40 ECTS). Theses on monitoring, evaluating and action research projects concerning the integrating and supporting activity of asylum seekers. KASELOHA Practice period /Lifelong learning and Education (10 ECTS). KASVARH Practice period / Early Childhood Education (10 ECTS) KASVARPH Pedagogic practice period / Early Childhood Education (10 ECTS) Opening more courses is still a possibility! Other activities organized by the Let s Work Together group Club activity. Students of early childhood education organize club activity for asylum-seeking children. ASAP Tutoring project Student unions of Tampere Universities organize this project with the help of LWT-group. Family Café Together with Red Cross Tampere, Save the Children and Tampere reception center LWT-group is starting discussion sessions with asylum seekers, other immigrants, experts of education, workers of the center and volunteers from Red Cross and Save the Children about raising children. Public discussion sessions and meetings The sessions are organized with asylum seekers, students, teachers and other actors.

4 2. Findings from LWT-report in UTA (Saara Peltonen) The refugee crisis Primarily humanitarian problem (for other actors), potential for pooling excellence (niche for university) Marginal to the dominant discourse of university Individual issue volunteering, Temporary phenomenon which will disappear The ethos of University in crisis Management, structures, regulations restrict the space and standards Avoidance and transfer of responsibility to other actors inside and outside university Solidarity and responsibility to us, our students, our people set limits to institutional reactions (keeping standards, efficiency of studies, resources ) Dominance of economic concept of university Atmosphere of fear and uncertainty The Let s Work Together action group and its activities Outreaching activities seem suspicious and dubious Threat in acting against rules and regulations Defence on questioning university s activeness and underrating grass-root twiddling

5 3. Towards open and participatory (university) education; need of regional (national, international?) collaboration in guidance and counselling in developing and maintaining digital forums (portals, social media) ( fb-group are now independent ) in preparatory and bridging education in language learning opportunities in opening regular courses In engaging refugees and asylum seekers in planning and implementation In joint activities and courses cross organizations, subjects etc. Sharing responsibilities?