6Invited guestsBarra O'Briain, Chair of Management Committee on GuidanceIn the opening presentation, Jennifer McKenzie, director of NCGE explained how this is an exciting time for guidance development and detailed the importance of working together, the central role of NCGE as ELGPN representative for Ireland, and the relevance of the ELGPN work to the national context. Invited Speaker Ms Lene Juul from Denmark showed examples of guidance within the Danish system and how their services are legislated to work together. Keynote speaker Professor Tony Watts detailed the policies behind the development of National Guidance Fora throughout the EU Member States. He noted that the term lifelong guidance was due largely to the Irish influence and the importance of making lifelong guidance as seamless as possible from the citizen's viewpoint. Professor Watts highlighted that guidance is available in various forms across the sectors and serves not just as the private good but also the public goodIn his speech to the gathered guidance professionals, Minister Cannon noted the particular value of the new Forum, saying that it 'will set a new agenda for sharing practice, promoting quality and enhancing co-ordination.' He wished the members every success in their work and informed the Forum that; 'Guidance is something we intend to prioritise in the Irish EU Presidency in 2013.'Following presentations, invited guests began the work of the Forum, engaging in facilitated group discussions on areas of ICT in guidance, quality assurance, co-ordination and co-operation and discussing a vision for the future of the Forum. With the next meeting of the Forum scheduled for April 2012, the group agreed that a smaller subgroup of representatives would meet to discuss the outcome of the first meeting and work with NCGE to develop the agreed agenda and next steps. Additional InformationTo view the terms of reference of the National Forum on Guidance and presentations, press release and photos from the first meeting please go to http://www.ncge.ie/national_forum%20on%20guidance.html NCGE will use this webpage to upload information and forthcoming activities of the National Forum on Guidance. Guidance for Life: An Integrated Framework for Lifelong Guidance in Ireland report was published in 2007, after a 2 year working programme 2004-2006 and is available to download on www.nationalguidanceforum.ieCLICK toLINKCLICK toLINKGuest speaker Lene Juul, Youth Guidance Centre of Copenhagen Linda Darbey, NCGE Conor McGuckin, TCDGeneralBehind the Scenes - National Forum on Guidance continuedNCGE NEWS Winter 2011

7Patricia Brennan, DESPaul Hayes, Northside PartnershipPaul Hill, FAS, Celia Flynn, FASFacilitated Group DiscussionLucy Hearne, UL, Hilary Lynch, NCGEMary Farrell, AEGS, Mary Stokes, AEGAIMary Connell, AEGS, John Wynne, AEGAIAnne Smyth, AEGSGeneralBehind the Scenes - National Forum on Guidance continuedNCGE NEWS Winter 2011Facilitated Group Discussion Rita Spencer, Linkage ProgrammeMary Ryan, NUI MaynoothColum Layton, DES, Alison Ward, IGC,Mary Quirke, IGCNuala Whelan, Ballymun Job CentrePeter Nolan, Independent ConsultantStaff of NCGE: Hilary Lynch, Shivaun Gallagher, Jennifer McKenzie, Barra O' Briain - Chair of Management Committee, James Hogan, Ursula Kearney, Linda DarbeyDave Kilmartin, DIT, Sean Gannon, TCDEilis Coakley, IGC, Tom Farrell, IGCPat O Mahony, IVEA