African-Finnish Network for Inclusive Teacher Education (7004)

The overall objective of AFNITE is reduction of inequalities in post-primary education and lifelong learning in the participating countries as called for by the education sector plans and ADEA with reference to EFA targets and MDGs. AFNITE creates ‘a critical mass', i.e. a network of university teachers and future teachers with shared knowledge concerning inclusive teacher education and lifelong learning. The objectives of the two-year project are to:

1. define criteria for good inclusive practices in post-primary education and lifelong learning by online collaboration
2. identify good inclusive practices in post-primary education and lifelong learning in the participating countries by exchange activities including tasks and study visits
3. share information and experiences during exchange activities
4. deepen understanding of educational inclusion through intensive courses
5. disseminate information in the participating HEIs and among their stakeholders.

The student exchange activities focus on learning and teaching about inclusive post-primary education and lifelong learning and identification of good practices in different contexts. Priority is given to the partners in the South: 12 students from the South and three (3) from the partners in the North participate in exchange. Students will be selected by the sending universities which have agreed to recognise the study credits earned at the host university. Students with special needs or disabilities are encouraged to participate. The contact persons at each university will assist outgoing and incoming students with practical and academic matters.

The teacher exchange activities concentrate on South-North exchange. The partners have agreed that the contents for exchange are planned in more detail and well in advance so that teaching contributes to the needs, course provision and the study programmes of the host universities. Co-teaching, dialogic approach and internationalization are prioritised in realisation of the teacher exchange activities. Teachers with special needs or disabilities are encouraged to participate. The network will look for complementary funding for South-South teacher exchange.

The AFNITE intensive courses, networking and dissemination activities are planned to contribute to the internationalisation and quality assurance and, to the new initiatives and study programmes in the participating universities by providing channels for co-designing of teaching, sharing of information, study materials, research knowledge and good practises.