ECMA: European Counsellor for Multicultural Education Teaching and Learning Material A COMENIUS Development Programme

Demographic changes in European countries caused by migration and mobility require experts to deal with complex situations inside and outside educational institutions. With regard to this ongoing demographic change new sections of population come about distinguishing in various fields e.g. language, religion. This causes an enormous pressure of adaption and change on all social and educational institutions dealing with people.

The objective of this programme is to train educational counsellors for multicultural affairs in order to provide guidance for the personnel and students of educational institutions as well as for parents and authorities. Functioning as multipliers they will provide problem-solving solutions and act as mediators if necessary. The teaching and learning material introduced in this publication is a 30 EC-course for people working in educational institutions or similar organisations.

Organisation and management skills, counselling, supervision, assistance and legal advicing, communication skills, a profound knowledge of a didactic for diversity, teaching and language competencies are necessary requirements for this job. Independent councelling and supervision for families and their needs in the areas of living, working and leisure as well as good knowledge of non profit organizations are additional requirements.