To: mr.Karsten Kristensen       Danish Embassy - Sofia    Dear mr.Kristensen,    Let me first introduce myself. I am prof. Rumen Valchev,  from Bourgas Free University and director of the biggest Bulgarian NGO in the field of Civic Education Open Education Centre and former deputy minister of education .   In 2000 and 2001 together with mr.Carl Vilbaek and with the kind support of the Danish Fund of Democracy  we  did organize two study visits of about 50 Bulgarian educators to Denmark.   By that time we began to explore the idea of a joint Balkan project which will serve the peaceful co- operation between the countries in the region, will be based on the Danish expertise in the field of Civic and Global Education. We did apply  to the Danish Fund of Democracy, but due to the changes, without success and now with the announcement of the Strategic Framework for the Neighbourhood programme we would like once again to present the idea of elaboration of a joint Global Education and European Citizenship curriculum.   As much as I’m aware this is a unique project in the history of  the education in our region which could have a chance to develop in a long term sustainable international educational effort. I do count on your understanding and do hope that if  I do have an opportunity for a meeting I will be able to present in more details the idea.      Yours sincerely      Prof.Rumen Valchev     Project proposal Global Education for European Citizenship A Project for development of Global Education Curriculum for the countries from                              the South-Eastern European Region          /integrating regional and European perspectives/ General background: As it is pointed out in the Neighbourhood programme “…Europe leaves behind it the 20th century’s unnatural divisions of the continent: east and the west are united in a common vision of peace, stability and democracy for the citizens of a whole Europe..”   Education and especially the co-operation between the educators and the joint development of programs are among the most promising futures of the coming new European order.

   1.In the last years there are some important developments in the South-Eastern European countries in the field of development of new approaches in the field of Civic Education, Intercultural Education, Education for Human Rights, Peace and Tolerance. Many projects have been realized and new curriculum has been elaborated.    2. Many developments have become  reality because of the  support of the Danish Fund for Democracy / educational study visits of educators from Moldova, Albania, Bulgaria to Denmark    3.There is a need in the Region for elaboration of joint approaches, of collaborative efforts in the field of the social studies, of elaboration of materials. Only in this way the intercultural differences should be overcome and the education of the young people in the European spirit and values will become possible.    4.The Global Education topics of Human Rights, Peace, Tolerance, Poverty, Social Justice, new European and world order, communication technologies and cet. Are one of the possible ways to build an common educational approach.    5. Denmark is the country  where these approaches in the field of Global Education are the most advanced not only in Europe.    The joint work of educators and curriculum developers from SEE and  from Denmark could have for a result a  manual on Global Education and European Citizenship relevant for SEE which could be a solid foundation for further co-operative efforts. Objectives:    1.Development of a Global Education and European Citizenship curriculum relevant  for SEE based on the efforts and the experience of the educators from the Region  and on the support and on methodologies developed in Denmark.    2. Elaboration of a co-operative model of work between the educators from SEE Europe and initiation of a network of educators in the field of Global Education.    3. Fruitful transfer of experience from Denmark to SEE.    4.Involvement of the young people in the process of elaboration of Global Education and European Citizenship materials Participants: The participants should be chosen with the support of the local NGO’s and higher school institution with the involvement of the ministries of the Education in the all stages of the project realization. Serbia - Ecolibri-bionet  dr. Jovan Angelis, Albania -European Dimension Association - dr.Astrit Dautaj and Zana Lita Romania - Intercultural institute - Timisoara- dr.Calin Rus Moldova -  Kishinau University - prof.Elena Prus Montenegro -Podgoritsa University - prof.Bojka Djukanovich Macedonia  -Skopje university - prrof. Kiril Temkov Kosovo  - Human Rights center - dr.Neshad Aslani Bosnia Hertsegovina -CIVITAS   dr.Rachela Dzidic Bulgaria -Open Education centre - prof.Rumen Valchev Croatia- Croatian site of Citizenship - dr.Rajka Pticek    We do expect in the project to be involved about 20 experienced curriculum developers.

    We count on the participation of 50 high school students who will not only attend the summer camps but as well with co-operation with the  curriculum developers from their countries will develop student materials to be used in the schools in the Region.   In the national dissemination seminars and in the international Conference we do expect  to be involved vice ministers of education from the participating countries.    On Danish side we count on the involvement of educators from Viborg county . The Bjerringbro Folkhighschool will serve as a coordinating center and mr.Carl Vilbaek, educator with broad international expertise who contributed for more than 30 international study visits to Denmark under the Danish Fund of Democracy grant Expected outcomes: Global Education and European Citizenship Curriculum in English and translated to all the national languages. Compact disc with the curriculum in English. Students book on Global Education and European Citizenship in English. Network of Global Educators from South-Eastern Europe More than 1000 teachers from South-Eastern Europe rained in Global Education Possible topics. Human rights Peace and social justice Intercultural co-operation European and Universal values European citizenship and the young people from South-Eastern Europe Our common Cultural Heritage Democracy and intraregional co-operation. The prospects of the Young people in the Region The emergence of the Civic Society in South-Eastern Europe Environment, Pollution and our future Sustainable development for peace and stability New communication technologies . Biotechnologies Western and Eastern Europe - toward a common future in our European home Agenda: 1st month Selection of the participants / they should be selected mainly by the group who have visited Denmark in the cases of  Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova/ Work via internet on the topics. Gathering of the relevant materials in each country 2nd month First seminar in Bulgaria  where all the curriculum developers will be presented and Danish coordinator

There will be a short training in the basics of  Global Education. The design of the project and  the specific developments in each participating country will be discussed The final  content will be agreed/topics, approaches, format, authors/. 3rd -5th  month Elaboration of the materials in each country 6th month 6 day Study visit to Denmark. There the outlines of the materials will be presented The Danish teachers and specialists will be introduced to the materials and Joint meeting and discussions will be organized. The participants will be acquainted with the Danish accomplishments in the field 7th -10th month Further elaboration of materials Organization of a students camp / 6 students from each country/ where the materials will be tested Second meeting of the curriculum developers group 11th - 14th  month Final elaboration of the materials.   Third meeting of the Curriculum developers team Elaboration of the compact disc The students together with the national teams of curriculum developers will prepare student’s materials 15th -18th month Translation of the materials into each national language Publishing of the materials into English Presentation of the compact disc 19th - 22nd month National dissemination seminars in each country 24th  month Students camp   International conference under the auspices of the Danish ministry of Foreign affairs Budget: Seminar in Denmark    20 part. X 60euro x 6 days                  7200

Travel                           20 x400                                                8000 Three seminars in Balkan countries 20 x 40 x 4  x 3                9600 2 summer camps         50 x 20 x 6                                             6000 Travel students  40 x 50                                                            2000       Curriculum  English       2000 copies x 5euro                         10000 Students book in English    2000 copies x 2 euro                      4000 Curriculum in own languages 1000 x 3euro x 10                    30000 Stypends authors            20 x 500                                             10000 Fee editor in chief                                                                      2000 Fees trainings   24 days x 100 euro                                            2400 Fees summer camps       3 trainers x 6 x 50euro x 2                  1800                                                           Translation  curriculum from English 8 x 1200                         9600 Costs Denmark coordinator                                                      12000 Administrative costs Coordination               24 months x 400                                      9600 Accounting , secretarial       24 months x 200                             4800 Materials                         24x 400                                                 9600 Coordinator trips  to participating countries Denmark                 7000 International conference     2 days 30 part. 40 euro                      2400 Travel   Inter.conference          20 participants x 200euro           2000 National workshops  30 part. X20 euro x 2 days x 10 countries    12000            Compact disc  with the curriculum in English                               8000                                                                                          169600