Rebuilding ties for partnership in school education - english version

Erasmus+ – Networking Meeting in London
On behalf of the Minister for Education, Christoph Wiederkehr, 13 representatives from Austrian schools and education authorities were invited to the Austrian Embassy in London on 18–19 May 2026 for a networking meeting with counterparts of the British school system. The event was organised by the OeAD, Austria’s agency for education and internationalisation, with the aim of establishing contacts to build partnerships in the field of school education.

The programme provided an immediate first glimpse into a London school on 18 May 2026. In addition to the security measures in place, the mobile phone collection system particularly caught the eye: At the end of the school day, the classes lined up in the school courtyard, and after their names were called out, the pupils were usually given their mobile phones back.

In the evening, a reception was held at the Austrian Embassy. Following the welcoming speeches by Minister of Education Christoph Wiederkehr and Ambassador Bernhard Wrabetz, there was an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another and for a photo session. A joint, informal dinner deepened the exchange between the organisers from the OeAD and the Austrian teachers.

The following day, 19 May 2026, Minister Wiederkehr, Jakob Calice and Ernst Gesslbauer from the OeAD, along with Vicky Gough from the British Council, expressed their commitment and shared their visions for cooperation in the education sector following Brexit, as well as for establishing new school partnerships under the Erasmus+ programme. Afterwards, teachers and other representatives of the Austrian and British school systems used the available time to make initial contacts.

The trip concluded with a visit to the Austrian Cultural Forum, which can also organise programme activities for Austrian schools visiting Britain. Filled with new impressions and ideas, the participants bid farewell to one another and to the island, hoping to build new relationships in the future for a lively exchange through Erasmus+.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks, in particular, to Ursula Panuschka and Ernst Gesslbauer from the OeAD for organising and inviting us to this inspiring event! It will be my pleasure to continue working with the OeAD team and I am very much looking forward to collaborating with potential new partners in the UK.

Text and Photos: Ilka Prowatke (Erasmus+-Koordination am Franziskanergymnasium Hall in Tirol), OeAD