The aims of the scheme Arion gives decision-makers the chance to exchange information and experience on a subject of common interest. Through gaining knowledge of other education systems, participants can take account of different approaches to education and update their own knowledge. The programme for each visit focusses on a prescribed theme, allowing participants to look into one or more aspects of education. Participants are expected to act as multipliers , sharing and disseminating the knowledge gained from the experience and making colleagues at local, regional and national levels aware of different European approaches. Visits run between September and June each year and last for five working days.
Visits take place to all participating countries.
Arion is open to educational staff with management, assessment, training or counselling responsibilities. The visit will give participants the chance to examine the educational system in one particular country. Groups are made up of a wide range of nationalities and this provides further opportunities for the sharing of information. As visits run along fixed themes, participants will also have the chance to investigate an area of education in some depth. A complete list of visits is available from the Central Bureau.