Training

Along with information distribution, the project places special emphasis on changing the ethos in workplaces so as to make sexual and gender minorities feel better included in their work communities. One means to this end is a pilot training programme which will be based on research data and co-operation on both national and transnational levels.

The pilot training programme will serve the purpose of providing teaching material as well as developing a model for changing workplace practices in order to prevent discrimination. In addition, the pilot will provide us with information on useful training methods and ideas.

The pilot training programme will focus on the school and educational sector, and its principle aim is to improve the situation of gay and lesbian teachers in Finland. Experiences and ideas emerging during the programme will be used when designing the teaching materials and the model for change, as well as when planning appropriate strategies of promoting good practices.

The pilot training programme will be carried out in co-operation with municipalities, the main partners being schools and educational development service units. The idea is to involve representatives of all levels of the educational system: teachers, directors, schools as work communities, cities, teachers' trade union organisations, teacher training colleges, as well as the National Board of Education and the Ministry of Education. The training programme will involve a pilot project, developed in co-operation with the Dutch Equal Project, which involves analysing employee relations in schools and initiating processes of change.

In 2003, we will hold a training seminar in one or more of the cities/municipalities participating in the project. The seminar will be open for all people from around the country interested in improving the status of sexual and gender minority teachers. At the seminar, participants will have an opportunity to develop ideas for the pilot project and the model for change in the workplace.

Besides teachers, training will also be provided to other occupational groups and individuals dealing with working life issues, such as representatives of labour market organisations, researchers of working life, and members of sexual and gender minorities. The training will be organised together with the various partner organisations. The project workers, in turn, will participate as planners, lecturers and teachers in the training activities organised by these partners. The training activities will be the responsibility of Project Director Jukka Lehtonen.