SVMI’s German partner, ifa Akademie, has been working with experts on adult education and migrant inclusion for the development of SVMI training materials. In addition to basic training of seniors who wish to serve as volunteers for migrant integration, it is important to keep adult learners motivated and empowered. Senior volunteers as well as migrants may have special needs, learning requirements and ideas about social interaction which need to be respected during a training process.
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Abels from Tübingen University, expert on adult education, European Studies and training met with Dr. Petra Püchner, Head of the Steinbeis European Center and chief advisor of the State government of Baden-Württemberg. Both experts studied the developed SVMI training programme. Recommendation on social models on integration and migration, empowerment and motivation, social participation and intercultural communication were integrated into the training materials.
Dr. Püchner put special attention on the transferability of materials between the many European countries. Concepts of volunteering, integration of migrants into host societies and political frameworks may differ between EU member states. Such country specific needs and adaptations are respected in a separate module developed by SVMI partners for their respective partner countries.
