Young Critical Thinkers in Europe

"This project was a youth led partnership between Ireland, Macedonia and Finland. 21 Young people from Ireland, Macedonia and Finland of similar backgrounds and age profile, came together to research education systems and challenges students are faced with when it comes to state exams or assessments across their countries. These young people participated in 3 mobility's in Finland, Ireland, Macedonia to discuss their findings and to develop concrete evidence of how young people's learning needs could be better met in education. The first meeting gave the young people the opportunity to meet to discuss and design a comprehensive consultation process to collect the experiences and voices of young people across the three countries.In advance of the second meeting the young people carried out a consultation in each of their countries and then came together in the second meeting in Macedonia to share the results of their research. In addition to the consultations the young people also participated in a number of study visits in educational institutions. They discovered that young people regardless of country had very similar experiences of the formal education system. The young people also worked with senator Lyne Ruane to become more aware of how to lobby, who to target when lobbying and how to engage with policy makers to have their message heard. As young learners challenged by these systems, young people agreed that now is the time to explore alternative solutions to current learning assessment structures, and search of innovative and inclusive ways to assess learning of all learners. At this point the young people agreed that it would be important to collect the results of their research in the form of a summary report which was later disseminated to a wide audience. This summary report was disseminated in the third meeting in Ireland ""a structured dialogue event"" which brought together young people, educators, policy makers and other important stakeholders to discuss this important research and recommendations for modernizing the formal exam system. The planned and achieved objectives are; 1.This project empowered young people to engage in dialogue about issues that affect them 2. Young people engaged in cultural learning experiences 3. Young people worked collaboratively with international partners 4. Young people researched and learned about different education system and structures 5. Young people's experiences of school and exams were voiced through a consultative process, facilitated by young people. 6. The findings from exploration and consultations, were compiled to influence a structured dialogue with relevant policy/decision makers in Ireland.7. Enhance the personal and social development of young people 8. Young people experienced positive cultural learning and exchange 9. Young people had their opinions voiced and heard 10. Young people are more informed about education systems and exam structures 11. Young people gained new skills and confidently articulate their opinions to decision makers 12. Young people participated and showed leadership in a process of policy engagement 13. Young people will lobby for systemic change in the Irish Education System, influenced by international research14. Young people are valued more by the professionals they engaged with Unexpected outcomes1. The NCCA invited this group to submit the findings of their research to inform their own review of the current leaving cert structure in Ireland with a view to modernizing the leaving cert 2. Social Innovation Fund Ireland invited the young people to submit their findings which were later referenced an their game changer event in the Burren Arts Center"