ERASMUS+ Blended Intensive program at the University of Wroclaw

University of Wroclaw organised an ERASMUS+ Blended Intensive Programme from May 20 to 24 2024. “Academy of Excellence: The Toolkit of the European Life and Career Design Counsellor” programme aimed to develop and improve the competences of students preparing to work as career counsellors, personal and career development coaches, educators supporting life and career choices and labour market entry, and researchers conducting scientific research in the field of life design interventions. The programme followed the objectives of the UNESCO Chair and the UNITWIN Network, which aim to develop models and strategies in line with UNESCO’s policies as outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The interesting and versatile programme included lectures and workshops by Prof. Maria Paula Paixão (University of Coimbra, Portugal), Prof. Joaquim Armando Ferreira (University of Coimbra, Portugal), Prof. Sabrina Labbé (Université de Toulouse), Dr Violetta Drabik-Podgórna (UNESCO Chair, University of Wrocław), Prof. Sanna Vehviläinen (University of Eastern Finland) and Prof. Robert Geisler (University of Opole). The lectures and workshops introduced us to different counselling perspectives and tools. Working and discussing with participants representing different European countries opened eyes not only to the social and cultural differences between the countries, but also clarified the understanding how counselling and its research are viewed in different disciplines. Discussions about counselling as well as studying, working and overall life in different countries continued while getting to know the beautiful city of Wroclaw and its historical university area and arboretum.

We want to thank all the participants for the interesting discussions. We give especially heartfelt thanks to the University of Wroclaw and especially to Violetta Drabik-Podgórna for organising the BIP programme and for taking such good care of us during our stay in charming Wroclaw.