Study Circle for local development: lifelong oriented models and operators’ competences in the cross border area Italy- Slovenia

The paper analyzes the model of study circle, not as a learning action in adult education, but in its design as action able to put together different local partners for the construction of responses related with learning needs identified. The device of Study Circle has analyzed as a model that has potentiality to promote and develop local social networks for local education. It is so outlined the possibility that Study Circles may represent a mechanism for the establishment of local institutional spaces of continuing education: in terms of needs raising, planning and management of the education system, until evaluation. The paper develop the reflection starting by a methodological model for arriving to define en AE prototype as integrated lifelong learning system. The Autors deep the role of tutor/mentor and they reflect on his/her competencies. After a description of theoretical framework, the Autors present an interesting pilot activity in the cross-border area Italy Slovenia concerning Study Circles for the development of human resources and cooperation networks.