TalentWeb Newsletter Issue 1

by admin, posted in Talent Web Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM THE ETSN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

It is with great pleasure that I deliver the introductory remarks for the first edition of the European Talent Support Network’s newsletter on behalf of its Council members Fuszek Csilla (Secretary), Colm O’Reilly (Treasurer), Mojca Juriševič, and Antonios Apostolou. First and foremost, I would like to thank them for their outstanding commitment to their offices. The tremendous progress that the ETSN has made over the last year would not have been possible without the dedicated contributions of its council members. I would like to highlight some of these accomplishments, starting with the most obvious feat: the launch of TalentWeb, the ETSN newsletter. I am thrilled to have won Antonios Apostolou over, and I wish him success in his new role as TalentWeb Editor.

The name “TalentWeb” reflects both an obligation, as well as the maxim of our work: connecting those who have a vested interest in gifted education and talent development, sharing information, initiating cooperation, and creating synergies. When it comes to breathing new life into the talent support lobby, ETSN is – in every regard – a pioneer. Some years ago, Prof. Peter Csermely, incumbent President of the ECHA, had a singular vision to initiate a talent support network that: a) rests on the idea of networks; and b) boasts institutions rather than individuals as its members. Peter’s dream immediately broke new ground, and was instantly lauded a success. Within three years, the network has welcomed 350 institutions from 42 different nations to its ranks, 15 of which rest outside of the European Union. A heartfelt thanks to the Qualification Committee: Chairwoman Lianne Hoogeveen, its Secretary Csilla Fuszek, and its members Christian Fischer; Bronė Narkevičienė, Colm O’Reilly, Ugur Sak, and Margaret Sutherland.

And let’s not forget the efforts behind the successful launch of the 2nd Youth Summit in Budapest, as well as the activation of ETSN registration efforts to be an officially recognized organization, now undertaken in the Netherlands by Lianne Hoogeveen. Looking forward to 2018, I would like to direct your attention to four events, the first of which is a virtual call for contributions to upcoming issues of TalentWeb including:

  • descriptions of your Talent Centres or Talent Points;
  • calls for cooperation with other Talent Centres and Talent Points;
  • the sharing of information and opinions you think are important.

Keep in mind that our network is as alive as its members are active. Secondly, the Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland will be hosting the 16th Annual ECHA Conference on August 2018 (https://echa2018.info/); I hope that you will seize the opportunity to register early – that is, before May 31st, 2018 – and at a reduced rate. Moreover, the Youth Summit and the ETSN General Assembly are slated to take place concurrent to the Dublin conference. For more information on the Youth Platform of the ETSN, please visit: http://youthplatform.etsn.eu/. I would like to ask all Talent Centres and Talent Points to lend their support to all participating students and alumni. Lastly, I want to remind you that the term of the inaugural ETSN council ends in October 2018. In time, we will formally approach Talent Centres to prepare the next Council vote. If you are interested in actively supporting the ETSN by assuming a post therein, I encourage you to consider running for Council membership.

And with that, I conclude this preliminary address heralding a new era for the ETSN by making way for TalentWeb. A special thanks to the ETSN’s umbrella organization, ECHA, and to its President, Peter Csermely, for his generous support.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Albert Ziegler, Chairman ETSN

In this issue: