What once filled the speaking slots of education conferences, have now settled into spaces of predictability. Still, there are valuable lessons to be learned from their rapid rise and un-exceeded expectations of MOOCs. To name a few: Widely available won’t always mean widely used. Accessible won’t always mean accessed. Learning needs to be social and experiential, and online learning requires grounded affiliations and incentives. Is there a place for virtual exchange in open online courses? We have found that there is. 

In the 4-week Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange course on Youth, Peace, and Security, young people led and defined the conversation about themselves. "This experience broadened my thinking on peace building and conflict transformation processes. It gave me the platform to create new connections and relationships."

Stories from leading experts, journalists, youth activists and other people at the forefront of key debates. Join them to explore the impact of climate change on people, planet and politics.

In 2018 Bilal took part in the Virtual Exchange ‘Refuge/es in Europe’ which was offered through the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange initiative. Fast forward to 2020, Bilal is a trained online dialogue facilitator and active community member; “I am trying to spread the impact of Virtual Exchange in my local community and through my current work”.

How to differentiate between a virtual exchange and a virtual training? An overview of the different emphases within the methodological principles of each format.

In 2018, Sharing Perspectives Foundation started implementing activities under the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange initiative. Alongside our consortium partners, one of the first joint actions we took was to develop a code of conduct as we established a shared community of facilitators. So, what is the code of conduct, and why are we sharing it?

Evelyn is a 29 year old legal practitioner from Nigeria currently on track to receive a Masters degree from the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands. Her personal and professional background motivated her to participate in the virtual exchange ‘Youth Peace and Security’ (2020) offered through the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange initiative.