Who We Are | ENSEL

European Network for Social-Emotional Learning and Well-Being

VISION AND MISSION

Social and emotional competencies become increasingly important and necessary in people’s daily lives, especially in the lives of children and youth, who are asked to cope with various challenges in their relationships and contacts with school peers, parents and other adults (such as teachers) they live, learn and socialise with. The European Commission now recognizes “Social and Civic Competencies” as one of 8 key competencies for lifelong learning, needed to live in contemporary society. The Commission also highlights the need for further developing teachers' and trainers’ competencies, motivation and skills so that their educational approaches match the needs of learners. Life Skills include both intrapersonal and interpersonal qualities. Intrapersonal life skills include self-awareness, self-control, self-esteem, self-respect and self-reflection. Interpersonal life skills include effective communication, cooperation, teamwork and problem-solving abilities, respect for similarities and differences, appreciation, empathy, trust and love.

What is the power of education? What is the value of active and experiential learning methods? How can social and emotional learning take place in the school setting? What makes a good school environment? What is the role of teachers as facilitators of learning? How we can involve the community?

ENSEL (European Network for Social Emotional Learning) aims to implement life skills holistically, helping young people exercise their fundamental rights in the home, school, class and community.

ENSEL NETWORK strives to provide school staff with the skills, knowledge and confidence that can help them establish an effective student Peer Support scheme in their schools to develop their students’ social and emotional skills, and involve also families and the whole community.

HISTORY

In 2019 within the framework of the project “REFLECT” for Social Emotional Learning in Schools, which was funded by the European Commission's ERASMUS + program, a number of committed civil society organizations and authorities from all over Europe started to discuss the creation of a EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

The partners of the COMPUSEL project, "Computational Thinking in Enhancing Primary Students’ Social-Emotional Learning Skills", with the participation of 5 Universities and the Social Cooperative of Cyclades have been also informed about this process and they are interested in participating in ENSEL activities.

Especially after the presentation of the REFLECT project, at a conference of ENSA in 2021, a proposal was to start a dialogue for the establishment of the EUROPEAN NETWORK of SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING- ENSEL NETWORK and to present it at the next ENSA Assembly in Venice, November 2022.

At the end of the conference, a number of organizations decided to consolidate their cooperation and establish a European Network for Social-Emotional Learning involving Universities, Schools, Municipalities, and NGOs.

ENSEL NETWORK will be conceived as an “umbrella organization”, providing members with a platform and framework to join forces, exchange good practices and materials, and thus develop common actions to motivate all parties involved in Life Skills including both intrapersonal and interpersonal qualities. Intrapersonal life skills include self-awareness, self-control, self-esteem, self-respect and self-reflection. Interpersonal life skills include effective communication, cooperation, teamwork and problem-solving abilities, respect for similarities and differences, appreciation, empathy, trust and love.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The main objectives of the EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (ENSEL) are:

To coordinate actions and initiatives at the European level and develop partnerships across Europe.
To campaign and advocate for a common European strategy for life skills, especially for Social and emotional competencies in Europe and to monitor and influence policies at the national and European levels for schools, Universities, Communities, and Organisations.
To produce and promote the exchange of good practices, enforce capacity building and provide tools and training to professionals working in the field.
To raise awareness among the general public and empower children and young people as well as parents teachers and stakeholders professionals on how to implement Life Skills in a Holistic approach in their communities.