Towards a Network Approach to Talent Development:
The European Talent Support Network[1]
Csilla Fuszek1, Peter Csermely2, Colm O´Reilly3, & Albert Ziegler4
1Budapest European Talent Centre, Hungary
2Semmelweis University, Hungary
3Dublin City University, Ireland
4University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Abstract: The paper summarizes the theoretical background and initial experiences of the network approach in gifted education and talent support providing a system-based view and a broad perspective of the complexities in talent development. The paper summarizes the first six years of the development of the European Talent Support Network (ETSN), an umbrella organization of cooperating institutions of gifted education and talent support spanning many continents. The establishment and work of the Youth Platform of the ETSN is also described. Located within the exosystem of talents the members of the ETSN aim at synergies on all systemic levels ranging from the talents´ actiotopes to decisions within the political, cultural, economic, and social macrosystems. Gifted education and talent development will thus be not any longer just the challenge for the few persons in the immediate environments of the talents, but truly the joint mission of a vibrant, synergistic Network. Continue reading “RESEARCH ECHOES: Towards a Network Approach to Talent Development: The European Talent Support Network”
Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland was established in Dublin City University in 1992 to respond to the needs of young students with exceptional academic ability and is currently one of the largest programme providers for high ability students in Europe. The Irish centre was set up in close co-operation with the Centre for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who have developed programmes for young students with exceptional abilities over many years. As a European Talent Support Network Talent Centre, CTY Ireland is a hub for Talent Points across Ireland and has served over 60,000 students since its founding. 
Science and Education Centre Višnjan (SECV) has joined a family of European Talent Supp ort Network as a talent point in 2016. In past two years, as well as ETSN has made great progress, so has SECV made a few steps considering new partnerships; program extension and scientific work in the field of program evaluation for highly motivated students. 
In the article you can read about a verified program of emotional intelligence development combined with introducing ICT tools and elements of science into preschool education in the form of free play. The Program aims at preparing children for functioning in the world of the future. Such a young person is able to diagnose emotions, express them in a way that does not offend peers’ feelings, should broaden intellectual horizons on the basis of skillful selection of data (selected ICT tool and, above all, should naturally perceive science as great fun.