EduEnergy 2.0: Towards Shaping the Future of Renewable Energy Transition in the Western Balkans
30 October 2024
Online
Registration for the conference is now open! Register HERE
Draft conference agenda – DOWNLOAD
The green transition strategies are rooted in the promotion of environmentally sustainable, socially just, and equitable societies. At its heart, the green transition addresses critical questions surrounding emerging and transitioning occupations, the need for employment flexibility, equitable job prospects, and the alignment of education systems to support a sustainable future. In particular, this shift places a strong emphasis on greening vocational education and training (VET) to equip the workforce with the skills required for renewable energy transition.
As part of this vision, the EduEnergy 2.0: Towards Shaping the Future of Renewable Energy Transition in the Western Balkans conference seeks to foster dialogue on the evolving role of the education sector in the context of the region’s transition towards renewable energy. These discussions will focus on how current and future labour market trends intersect with social sustainability, economic inclusion, and gender equity. A key objective will be to further labour market and educational trends that ensure the green economy not only promotes environmental goals but also provides opportunities for all, particularly by addressing barriers to women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
By taking part in this conference, the stakeholders will explore ways to enhance vocational education’s role in preparing individuals for the emerging green jobs, while ensuring that this transition contributes to reducing inequalities and supporting fair and inclusive growth.
Building on these discussions, the event will feature a keynote address by professor Toni Babarović, who will delve into the strategies students employ when navigating their educational and career choices. His presentation will set the stage for the broader exploration of the connections between education and the labour market. Supporting this dialogue, findings from recent research by the Center for Economic, Technological and Environmental Development (CETEOR) and the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) will be shared, offering critical insights into labour market assessments. In addition, contributions from the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) will provide an in-depth analysis of current educational offerings, helping to frame the challenges and opportunities for aligning education with future workforce demands in the context of the green transition.
Keynote speaker
Toni Babarović, is a Senior Scientific Advisor at the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences and a Full Professor at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. His research spans vocational and work psychology, educational psychology, and quality of life. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, 13 book chapters, one monograph, and more than 100 conference papers, contributing extensively to these fields.
Professor Babarović will deliver presentation on Challenges and Support Strategies in Vocational School Selection: The Impact of Interests, Career Maturity, and Gender Stereotypes – Insights from Croatia.
Presenters
The CETEOR and IRMO designed and performed a labour market assessment to assess the expected impacts on employment and growth of a RE-based energy transition and the required qualifications of skilled workers. The assessment was based on the current labour market situation in the Western Balkans’ renewable energy sector, and projects labour market development up to 2030. The results of the assessment will be presented by Ana-Maria Boromisa of the Institute for Development and International Relations, Zagreb, Croatia
The ERI SEE Secretariat, in cooperation with the VET and qualification agencies and chambers of commerce from six Western Balkan economies implemented the analysis of the energy sector VET Provision and mapped the prospects of future developments towards increasing the skills and competences of VET graduates in the context of green transition. The results will be presented by Ivana Živadinović of the ERI SEE. The discussion on the future developments in VET in the context of the renewable energy transition will be led by Tina Šarić of the ERI SEE.
Participants
The conference will bring together stakeholders from the education and energy sectors, including representatives of ministries, vocational education and training, and qualification agencies, chambers of commerce, employers’ associations, schools, experts in education and labour market development, and those involved in social sustainability and gender equity. The main conclusions of the conference will be incorporated into policy recommendations and utilised for planning short- and mid-term actions in the education and training sector in the Western Balkans.
Organisation
The official language of the conference will be English with interpretation to Albanian and BCMS.
The conference is organised by the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe – ERI SEE in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ is a part of the 2nd Regional Power Exchange: Green Agenda: Decarbonization of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans conference and within the scope of the Renewable Energy Services in Education and Training – RESET project. The RESET project is a component of the Green Agenda: Decarbonizing of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans regional project, implemented by the GIZ. The projects are commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ.
Registration
Registration for the conference is open here.
Contact
Should you have any questions or suggestions for the organisers feel free to contact Ivana Živadinović @ ivana.zivadinovic@erisee.org.
Related events
EduEnergy Conference: Building Bridges for Sustainable Energy Learning, March 2024 – visit
