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6 European Conference on International Conference: Theme 4: Exploring the opportunities of the field
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Counselling and Vocational Training Career Guidance and Education of work and the role of employers in
in the World Upside Down developing career development compe-
”The changes anticipated in the near future in the tencies
field of labour will be dramatic and we must pre- The international online conference was co-
pare appropriately to address them“, emphasized organized by Euroguidance Czech Republic and The aim of the conference organisers was to
Mr Alexandros Alexandrou, the Director of Labour the University of Life Sciences Prague. The main support a substantive discussion on the current
state of the career guidance system in Estonia.
(Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance) goal was to support the professional field of career
th
at the opening of the 6 European Conference guidance and the research in the field, to enrich Including what are the needs and roles of the
on Counselling and Vocational Training 2020. The the public dialogue, and to promote the diversity decision makers and practitioners and taking into
conference titled ‘Life-Long Career Counselling as a of guidance services. The topic of the conference consideration the implementation of Estonia's 2035
Superpower in the Development of a Person’ took was ‘Career Guidance and Education’. Given the education and youth work strategies.
place on January 24, 2020 at the premises of the changing situation in which the labour market was Videos of the conference are available HERE.
University of Nicosia. and still is, new possibilities of work and educa-
The Conference, which has become a yearly event, tion options appear. Career guidance and career The first day focused on international experts and National Forum on Guidance (Ireland)
was organized by the University of Nicosia, in col- education play an important role for a society discussions about our strategic choices in Estonia. In October 2020, Euroguidance Ireland, through
laboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, affected by the pandemic. During two conference The second day was all about practical sessions. the Irish National Centre for Guidance in Education
Sport and Youth: the National Forum for Lifelong days the career guidance practitioners focused on The conference had practitioners and experts both (NCGE) facilitated a forum on the theme of ‘An
Guidance and Euroguidance Cyprus. these issues. from Estonia and the OECD, Austria, Malta, Finland initial investigation into what is the role of Lifelong
”The ever-changing labour market requires workers The debate started with a panel discussion ‘Do and Slovakia sharing their experiences. Guidance in promoting Sustainable Development
and Change’. Over 130 participants were in atten-
to constantly change, evolve and grow in the work We Need to Reinvent Career Guidance in the Light Within the framework of the conference, the par- dance virtually, representing a broad spectrum of
environment. It makes counselling and support for of the Pandemic?’ which reflected on the current ticipants had the opportunity to actively participate guidance provision in Ireland and internationally.
young people necessary and imperative,“ said Dr. changes, chances and obstacles that guidance in shaping the future plans of career services and Through the adoption of this theme Euroguidance
Kyprianos D. Louis, the national Head of Secondary faces. The discussion continued with a reflection to create connections with their daily work in the Ireland sought to introduce and discuss the concept
Education. Dr. Louis added that stakeholders and from the side of guidance with contributions from provision of services. of the relevancy of guidance to the implementa-
professionals working with youth must emphasize organisations such as IAEVG, UNESCO and Eurogu- tion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in
the ever-changing future labour market, while idance itself. There was also a reflection on the Four main themes emerged: particular…
relevant services must coordinate and cooperate in labour market and employers, as well as recent Theme 1: Integrated career services system and
order to enable sustainability in the development studies from the field of guidance. An important cooperation; • Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality
of a person. part of the conference was the Czech National Theme 2: Developing career development compe- education and promote lifelong learning op-
Career Guidance Awards 2020 ceremony and tencies in the education system portunities for all.
Keynote speakers at the Conference were Ms. the presentations of awarded guidance practices. Theme 3: Continuing training for careers practi- • Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower
Jennifer McKenzie, Director of the National Center Discussion and presentations continued the next tioners and educators all women and girls.
for Guidance in Education (NCGE) in Ireland on day with parallel sessions on various topics, for
‘The Irish Example - The Significance of career example green guidance and social justice,
guidance in Ireland in the Context of Lifelong methods and tools used in guidance, systems of
Learning’ and Ms. Helen Papastefanou, Inspector guidance and many others. You can see the videos
of Counselling and Vocational Secondary Education, and look at the presentations from the conference
on the subject ‘Lifelong Counselling Career as a in English HERE.
Superpower in the Development of the Individual’.
‘Bold Jump into the unknown?’
The conference was attended by 120 guidance
and employment counsellors and other relevant The conference entitled ‘Bold Jump into the
professionals. Unknown?’ took place in January 2020 in Estonia
with 130 practitioners and policy makers and
almost 450 additional online participants from
both Estonia and abroad. Sharing and learning in
this blended format was an efficient initiative for
all participants. It was a learning experience for
Euroguidance Estonia and its partners on how to
organise a hybrid event already before COVID-19
when online events became a reality for many.
The conference theme was built around the central
question - how to best support students in a
changed situation and prepare them for lifelong
learning and entering the labour market?

60 2. EUROGUIDANCE NATIONAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES 2. EUROGUIDANCE NATIONAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES 61