Peter Kearns and Denise Reghenzani Kearns have kindly written extensive notes on discussions that they had in Germany, Canada and Hong Kong during the period of June to September. The discussions were focussed on mainly:
- The Learning Region Network, and Learning on Place Programs in Germany;
- Work of the Canadian Council on Learning, and Vancouver and Victoria Learning Cities in Canada;
- The evaluation of the Learning Regions Network Program throws up a number of points relevant to the benefits and sustainability of PURE regional networks. Unfortunately, the main report is available in German only, but I have a short English summary which I have drawn upon;
- The success factors identified by Professor Deiter Gnahs, pp. 6-7, are useful and include points that are relevant to the sustainability of PURE regional networks;
- The time factor required in achieving sustainability: German Learning Region Networks were funded for 7 years from 2001-08 with some 40 discontinued when funding ended - this points to the fairly significant time required in achieving sustainability;
- Effective communication is crucial in building trust and social capital and a sense of identity in the network, Bad Tolz provides a good example, p10.