Various objectives and outcomes were enshrined in PARABOW from the very start and the partners have wished for the project to maintain an element of flexibility and dynamism. Both fulfilment of objectives and development have gone according to plan.
The obectives of the PARABOW project are:
i) The production of an interactive, CD-Rom based, IT deliverable which illustrates the use of wood in ancient wooden buildings in a pan-European context.
The web page developments have laid a firm foundation for the achievement of this objective. Other actions have included familiarisation with a variety of design packages and software products used (for example) by architects and a number of 'Geographic Information Systems' (GIS) and 'Global Positioning Systems' (GPS) demonstrated to Clark Mactavish and Grampus staff through the kind auspices of Milan Toth of the Slovakian Lesoprojekt.
The decision to employ the services of the specialist Scottish architect, Graham Wylie, and his professional team, demonstrated the dynamic nature of PARABOW and a sound grip of what was needed to deliver a good IT product. Mr Wylie's drawings (see Appendix 1) will be invaluable in achieving the IT objective.
ii) The production of a worker's manual which acts as a practical guide to craft workers wishing to reconstruct ancient wooden buildings.
The work by Kuru College and Pirkkaveisto Oy to detail their work in Helsinki into a case study report with sketches, technical drawings and photographs is an important element in the realisation of this objective as is the translation and modification of loghouse construction training material.
Other achievements include the collection of a very broad range of quality photographic images -there are over 100 on the web, from all participating countries, which give excellent detail of specific timbers, preservation methods and jointing technology, etc.
The joint training by the carpenter team
has been of enormous benefit to them as individuals but has also generated a
tremendous amount of raw material for modification, editing and formatting into
the workers manual. Once again Graham Wylie's drawings (Graham joined the
carpenters for their training action in Denmark) will be invaluable in the
manual and have already been used with the Govan (Scotland) based GalGact Trust
who will be drawn into PARABOW and have as an ambition the construction of a
Norse Celtic longhouse on the banks of the River Clyde.
iii) Delivery of 216 weeks of student / learner placements to a range of age groups, backgrounds and nationalities.
The placements undertaken by German, Italian, British and Finnish students have been significant in their economical, effective and varied delivery and have been augmented by work by school children in the UK and Ireland.
Moves and plans are underway to involve more Slovaks, Irish, Danes and Icelanders in international placements and a series of interactive projects within the PARABOW sphere have been designed are ready to run.
At the time of writing some 46 of the allocation (in weeks) has been utilised during, what is effectively the first third of PARABOW. The fact that projects take time to design and fit into context explains this apparent under acheivement and the partners remain confident that the student / learner objectives will be achieved through varied and meaningful actions.
iv) The creation of study modules across a range of levels for 'bolt-on' utilisation by bodies concerned with training and education.
The dramatic extension of the PARABOW network to include a range of educational institutions (see under dissemination) has done much to make this objective a reality. The existing network which includes primary schools to Higher Education institutions has given great assistance by providing access to their student bodies for in depth discussions on learner needs. The 'student / learner' placements have been carefully monitored to ensure that the curriculum produces will match their expectation (rather than the ego's of the curriculum developers !).
The multi-actor partnership status of
PARABOW has been invaluable because it has not been possible for anybody to work
in professional isolation. The nature of PARABOW ensures that industry, SME's,
researchers, scientists, public and private sector NGO's and educational
institutions, all make reference to each other to ensure that products reflect a
balance of skills, knowledge and needs.
v) Joint international working for beneficial development of the partner organisations and their individual staff.
Everybody participating in PARABOW has
learnt something and has benefited from the act of internationalisation. A
certain number of historical rifts and tensions stemming from World War 11, 'cod
wars', dogma and stereotyping, have been aired in option discussion and national
wounds have been healed to a great extent. A greater understanding of the
aspirations of individuals and their Home countries has been gained and this has
been
placed firmly in the context of a united Europe. For the pre-accession to the EU Slovaks and the Icelanders in the EEA, the ethos of the Union has been well illustrated and, as individuals they are more prepared and able to recognise the benefits and dis-benefits of full membership. The goals of Union, European Parliament and European Commission have been adequately disseminated and understood.
The major advancement has been in a greater understanding of common cultural roots and genetic, social, economic and heritage commonalties which cannot help but to improve the prospects for common future cultural development and understanding.
The professional staff development
opportunities realised through PARABOW cannot be underestimated. The opportunity
for professionals to work with others from different disciplines has illustrated
(through the results) beyond doubt the benefits to be gained from breaking down
traditional interdisciplinary barriers.