ECER 2018 in Bozen/Bolzano proved that Network 30 continues to be the focal point for exchange for research in the area for Environmental and Sustainability Education Research. As in previous years, we had again a number of participants from overseas (e.g. from South Africa).
This year our network received for ECER 59 submissions (with 68 in 2017). Out of these submissions we rejected 5 submissions and redirected 3 submissions. The rejection rate (8,5%) was average compare to other networks. We had 5 withdrawals. At the conference our network programme consisted of 19 sessions (in 2017: 26): 0 Roundtables, 4 symposiums, 2 Poster, 14 paper sessions, 1 Workshop). The attendance at sessions varied from 12 to 50 participants.
For the first time we had a Joint session with NW 14 (Thur. SES 12 A; 15.30-17.00). Further we had for the first time a workshop session.
The atmosphere in the network was very positive and encouraging. There was mutual respect for the diversity of research and criticism was friendly and constructive. A great majority of presentations were of a high standard. Most of the sessions ended with explorative and constructive discussions.
Our Network 30 Members Meeting was held on Wednesday (5.9.2018) with a high attendance rate of about 60 participants. At the end of the meeting we had 18 more members for our NW 30 member mailing list. The meeting consisted of five parts:
- The report from the Link Convenor, Jutta Nikel.
- The election of one new convenor according to our "Management policy of NW 30" rules. Dr. Nicola Walshe, University of Cambridge, England was elected. Before Dr. Alison Neilson was thanked for her contribution to the network while being part of the convenor group.
- A presentation from Sara Franch, Free University of Bozen on “Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education in Italy”. This presentation was followed by questions from the network members.
- A members’ activity in which members had the opportunity to raise issues and contribute ideas to the network current state and future activities. The members could move around the meeting room and write down their thoughts and comments on five suggested themes /questions: Recent developments on EE/ESD/GCE in your country or internationally we want to be aware of?; Is there an ESD/EE/GCE academic association or network in your country or region? (Name, contact,...); Questions/Issues you want to pose to the network?; Ideas for people in the network to work together?; Comment on: How to make network call more relevant? What topics could we focus on in a summer school, pre-conference seminar? ... The written comments were collected and taken into consideration in the next Convenor Group meeting.
- Finally, the current link convenor, Dr. Jutta Nikel, announced that she will step down from the position after two years. According to the "Management policy of NW 30" rules will be elected as soon as possible by the Convenor group.
After the Meeting members continued that exchange in a pre-organised network dinner.