The Annual Meeting for Internatinal Relations Coordinators 2015 took place at the Ionian University of Corfu in the framework of the AEC Project FULL SCORE.

The meeting, organised by the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC), is meant for administrative or teaching staff members in Conservatoires who deal with international relations and European programmes (such as ERASMUS), as well as for institutions not familiar with these programmes, but with an interest in becoming involved.

The meeting is important for networking, exchanging useful information and for developing partnerships. With this annual meeting, the AEC is bringing together a growing community of International Relations Coordinators. The programme of the meeting, as well as other important documents and policies on the field of international relations of conservatoires, are the result of the collaboration between the AEC office and the IRCs Developmental Working Group

The IRCs Developmental Working Group:
Tuovi Martinsen – Chair (Sibelius Academy, Helsinki)
Rima Rimsaite (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Vilnius)
Keld Hosbond (Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, Aalborg)
Knut Myhre (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo)
Raffaele Longo (Conservatorio di Musica “San Pietro a Majella”, Napoli)
Bruno Pereira (ESMAE, Porto)
Pascale Pic (Pôle Supérieur – Lille)
Payam Gul Susanni (Yasar University School of Music, Izmir)
Victor Ciulian (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna)

The AEC working groups members work on the preparation of AEC events on voluntary basis. The AEC Preparatory Working Groups are all formed by coopting active individuals in the relevant field of specialization within AEC member institutions. Proactivity, as well as geographical and gender balances are the applied criteria to guarantee the diverse and dynamic character of the groups, who should ideally recreate the diversity of AEC members institutions.
Working group members are financially supported by their home institutions, which cover their travel and accommodation expenses to the working group meetings and to the actual event.


Annual Meeting for International Relations Coordinators

24-27 September 2015, Ionian University, Corfu

Broadening our Horizons: Internationalization as a Tool for Development

This year’s meeting for International Relations Coordinators marks a further step forward in giving internationalization the prominence it deserves as an important tool and major catalyst for the development of music and musicians.

Music students, their teachers and the institutions in which they work and study can all benefit from the broader horizons that internationalization provides. Indeed, the international dimension is increasingly being recognized as less of an optional supplement to the learning experience of young musicians and more of an essential core element of the competence profile they will need if they are to be successful in their careers. It seems logical enough that international mobility in the learning phase might equate with confidence and success in a musician’s subsequent career, but the IRC meetings from 2014 to 2016 are tackling this issue in a sustained and rigorous way, looking at whether harder evidence exists to support this connection and exploring what might be done to make the link even stronger and more effective.

This three-year pattern of work is being supported with funding from the European Union under its ‘Creative Europe’ programme. As part of AEC’s FULL SCORE project, the aim of this strand is: To help cultural and creative players to internationalise their careers and activities, by further developing the AEC annual forum for exchange and mobility [the IRC meeting] and by creating a common European platform for advertising job vacancies for instrumental and vocal musicians and composers in Cultural and Creative Higher Education (CCHE)

By the end of the project in 2017, AEC hopes to have created: ‘A new and powerful information network, combining capacity-building sessions with online tools, for helping musicians and music teachers to internationalize their careers’. The process began in Aalborg in 2014 and will be developed substantially during this September’s meeting in Corfu.

An important component of the FULL SCORE project is the delivery of workshops supporting these developments. Two workshops will be offered immediately before this year’s IRC meeting:

• One workshop will focus on the skills required when writing applications for EU and other funding programmes. Such programmes can help institutions to embed international activities within their core mission. With the new programmes launched in 2014, there is still much to be learnt about how to be successful in gaining grants, but we have a growing pool of expertise that deserves to be shared; this workshop will be a forum in which to do just that.

• The second workshop will directly support the aims of the FULL SCORE project by exploring the connection between mobility and international careers. Those interested in pursuing this ‘next level of internationalization’ will have a chance to work together on issues such as the importance of networking, e-learning and new technology, embedding internationalization in the curriculum and linking internationalization to entrepreneurship and employability.

Join us in the inspiring setting of the Ionian University, Corfu to continue the exciting journey towards putting the international at the centre of what conservatoires are and what they do.


Programme

Annual Meeting for International Relations Coordinators

24-27 September 2015, Ionian University, Corfu

Broadening our Horizons:
Internationalization as a Tool for Development

Thursday 24th September

Pre-Conference Seminars:

1) How to Write a Proposal for KA2: Strategic Partnership Projects (1,5 days – State Library, Old Fortress)
2) The Next Level of Internationalization: From Mobility to International Careers (1 day – State Archive, Old Fortress)

NB: Please note that the pre-conference seminars are optional, extra fees apply and a maximum of 30 participants are allowed

Friday 25th September

10:00 Registration Open – Foyer of the Ionian Academy

Coffee available networking time
Continuation of Seminar 1 in the Old Fortress

10:30 – 11:30 Introductory Session for first-time delegates – Auditorium of the Ionian Academy

Continuation of Seminar 1 in the Old Fortress

12:00 – 13:30 Opening Event

Welcome words by:

– Rector or Dean Ionian University
– – Video message by Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Sector – Erasmus+ for Higher Education, European Commission
– Evis Sammoutis, AEC Council Member
– Stefan Gies, AEC Chief Executive
– Brief presentation of the granted KA2 Strategic Partnership projects 2015-16

The Music Department at Ionian University by Ioannis Toulis

Music performance Auditorium of the Ionian Academy

13:30 – 15:00 Networking Lunch – Foyer of the Ionian Academy

15:00 – 16:30 Plenary Session I – Auditorium of the Ionian Academy

International Careers
How do we support students’ international careers?

Presentation about the FULLSCORE Study on Destinations of Europe’s Conservatoire Graduates by Andrea C. Marengo, AEC Student Intern

Panel Discussion
Marc Ernesti, Royal Academy, London, Career Service
Lambis Vasiliadis, Ionian University, Corfu, piano teacher building careers of students
Ruth Fraser, Student
Claus Skjold Larsen, former employer and current Principal at the Danish National Academy of Music, Odense / Esbjerg
Moderator: Bruno Pereira, ESMAE Porto

16:30-17:30 Networking with Refreshments – Foyer of the Ionian Academy

Rooms available for Project Meetings at the Music Departments

17:30 – 18:15 Bar Camp I: Topics Presentation and Selection

18:15 – 19:15 Information Forum / Rooms available for Project meetings at the Old Fortress upon request

19:00 – 19:45 Rooms available for Project meetings at the Old Fortress upon request

20:00 Dinner

Saturday 26th September

10:00 – 11:00 Plenary Session II

Music introduction

International Cooperation
The institutional Global Responsibility

Keynote Speech by Ingrid Maria Hanken, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo
Questions and Answers moderated by Tuovi Martinsen, Sibelius Academy Helsinki Auditorium of the Ionian Academy

11:00 – 11:15 Video Message by Ahmad Sarmast, Kabul
11:15 – 11:30 Movie from the Glomus Network

11:30 – 12:15 Networking with refreshments

12:15 – 12:45 International Credit Mobility

Rima Rimsaite, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Vilnius
Nana Sharikadze, State Conservatoire, Tbilisi
Bojana Tesan, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Moderated by Victor Ciulian, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

12:45 – 14:00 Networking Lunch – Foyer of the Ionian Academy

14:00 – 14:45 Meeting at the Ionian Academy to walk to the Old Fortress

Visit the Fortress

14:45 – 16:00 Breakout Groups:

– KA1 Practices (Beginners Level) – Pascale Pic
– KA1 Practices: Recognition 1– Knut Myhre
– KA1 Practices: Recognition 2 – Rima Rimsaite
– Going Global, Capacity Building, Horizon – Raffaele Longo and Keld Hosbond
– International Careers – Marc Ernesti
– KA2 Strategic Partnerships and SP projects winners Gokay Ozerim and Payam Gul Susanni

– Placements 1 – Lucia Di Cecca
– Placements 2 – Ioannis Toulis
– Internationalisation and quality: how international activities can support the enhancement of quality in institutions

16:00 – 17:15 Bar Camp Groups Discussion

17:30 – 18:00 Networking with refreshments Foyer of the Ionian Academy

18:00 – 19:00 Closing session

Music introduction (5min)
The Full Score Activities for IRCs
News from the AEC and IRCs working group
Announcement of the IRCs Meeting 2016
Closing remarks

Free evening – see list of restaurants and bars

Jazz Performance and Jam with the jazz faculty at the new fortress

Dimos Dimitriadis (As. Professor, head of the Jazz department)
George Kontrafouris (Lecturer)
Stefanos Andreadis

Jam session follows . . . bring your instruments and lets play together! Polytechno Bar at 21:30 – NEW Fortress

Sunday 27th September – Networking Day

Networking Cruise on a traditional Greek boat (kaiki ): 9:00 – 16:00

NB: Please note that this networking activity is optional and extra fees apply

We will be picked up from Corfu town and we will cruise along the East coast of Corfu. We will be able to see the beautiful beaches of Nisaki, Agni, Kalami, Kouloura and St. Stefanos. On the way to Kassiopi we will make stops and we will have the opportunity to swim or snorkeling in some of the many caves and beaches in nice crystal clear blue water. We will make a longer stop for lunch- BBQ and drinks (included in the price). During our visit in Kassiopi we will have the time to go shopping or have a drink at the cafes and enjoy the beautiful view. Depending on time and weather, we would possibly anchor at the tine island of Kapareli and explore its beautiful landscape or take a swim.
Menu – Lunch consists of freshly barbecued fish or souvlaki , Greek salad, tzatziki (a garlicky yoghurt dip), bread, red or white wine, cola and water. If you let us know in advance we can arrange an alternative vegetarian menu which includes jacket potatoes, tuna or beans, feta cheese, tzatziki, Greek salad and bread. (Please note, only drinks served with the meal are free.) Important note – You should bring sun cream, towel, hat, flip-flops sun glasses and some money. If you are taking any medication please make sure you bring an adequate supply

TIME 7 hours – PRICE € 40 including lunch and drinks