The Erasmus + project is part of a strategic partnership between schools.It meets several objectives, the main one being the exchange of practices and teaching methods to improve transnational cooperation between schools.Eight different types of institutions (schools, colleges, vocational schools) located throughout the European area agree to work together for the next three years (2016-2019), sharing ideas and experiences. The ability to share teaching and educational experiences and to implement innovative activities will be of great benefit to the whole range of students but particularly to those who arrive in our establishments having had difficulties in their previous educational experiences. This project, entitled "Uniting our hearts without borders" will provide these vulnerable pupils in their daily lives with a positive learning experience. They will quickly reap benefits both personally and professionally thanks to a better command of the language of their host country.It is also incumbent on the participant project teams to reflect on the issue of migration because all European countries face today the same reception difficulties. Beyond the borders, joint discussions and reflection will be conducted on strategies to implement and to adapt our cultural teaching and learning methods. Of course, these young people will not be immediately aware of the added value of their experiences both on a personal and professional level. But gradually, throughout the three years they will become aware that the proposed activities, exchanges with other partner institutions, will enable them to learn, gain confidence and to develop both their critical thinking skill and their creativity. They will be in a better position to measure the importance of the European community to which they now belong.For adult participants in the project (teachers, educators), this project is also a unique experience. Indeed, it is rare to be able to exchange information on education systems and teaching strategies with a range of countries of a continent. Transnational meetings are therefore an important element of the project. They will create links and they will inform reflections on the dynamics of the project.For this, the proposed activities are relatively diverse and allow all (students and adults) to get involved. They place great emphasis on the teaching of comprehension. Thus, students will discover the history of Europe, the European Union, as well as the geography and traditions of the eight institutions. Emphasis will be given to direct exchanges (E. Twinning, Skype). All of the discovery and creative activities, both written and oral, must allow each student to improve their language competences as well as to understand the workings of their host country in order to obtain new knowledge and thus to build their own image of the country in question.Moreover, the essential values are shared by all. Each student will have their place in the project and will be open to a better informed view of Europe. The dimension of "European citizen" is addressed in many activities.In addition, the mobilities planned for the second and third years will be a real asset to our young people. This is the best way to experience a different culture and to develop new levels of expertise. Such mobilities allow both personal enrichment as well as building self-confidence and transferable professional skills.Finally, this project contributes to the influence of Europe in general. Each establishment will become the cultural "showcase” for the member countries of the project. Indeed, all of Europe is covered by this project, Southern Europe with Portugal and Italy, Eastern Europe with Romania and Poland, North and West Europe with Germany, France, England and also a country which is outside of Europe but belongs to the Erasmus Programme network: Turkey. This project is exceptional in that it involves eight educational establishments. The choice of partners was based on the history of migration in each country (emigration / immigration). To some extent, we can say that geographical Europe is covered thereby providing participants with an overview of the European continent.In addition, all partners, with the exception of Turkey, have already participated in this type of project (Erasmus, Erasmus Programme Comenius). Some have even worked together already. Therefore a sense of trust and confidence exists and many of the partners have experience and expertise in working collaboratively. Previous projects have always worked well. The principal of the project is spread over a vast area ready to work together in a spirit of innovation and experimentation.
The project "Unite our hearts without borders" is coming to an end. In a review and a final assessment, it is clear that this project, as partnership between schools was successful as a strategy to provide a coordinated response to the issue of migration as set out in the original objectives. The sharing of good practice and teaching methods to improve transnational cooperation between schools have been a regular feature of each convention and has proved to be very fruitful, for teachers professional development, over the course of the three school years (2016/2019). The seven institutions (after the withdrawal of the partner from Turkey in January 2017), of different types (colleges, high schools, vocational high schools) were able to work together, share their ideas and experiences, to help, welcome and educate migrant pupils, as well as looking at specific issues, such as: poor school attendance and difficulties with mastering the host countries language. All activities planned during the development of the project have been fully completed, whilst additional activities and workshops have been added and carried out by each institution, depending upon the opportunities that were offered by each host country. However the realisation of the original common objectives of the projects was respected by all the partners, notably: - Screening of a film on the theme of migration, and debate on the subject with the students, - Design of the "Conversation Guide" in common, during student mobility in Italy and Poland (Guide in seven languages), - Presentation of different educational systems (Power Point), - Presentation of the different festivals and customs of each country, - Production of a collection of cooking recipes from the immigrant population in each country, - Design of a postcard to illustrate his country on the Common Monument, symbol of the project. It is agreed by all participating nations that the project fully met the expectations of the original aims and objectives. All activities were completed, on time. The partnership has been so fruitful that a new commemorate artwork was proposed, (a fresco of personalities of immigrant heritage who have succeeded in contributing to the life and culture of their new home). It completes the entire project and brings a new artistic celebration of the benefits of integration and cooperation of nations. The project has had a positive impact on many levels: - The students recognized and appreciated the value of their own contribution and participation in each of the various activities on the theme of migration. Some specifically benefitted from the mobility in Italy and Poland, were they became aware of the richness of the exchanges and the importance of open-mindedness towards Europe; they came back proud of having lived the experience and achieved success in facing the challenge of mastering a new and unknown language - All of the participating teachers and educational professionals have also directly benefited from this rich experience, not only from a pedagogical perspective but also from a personal point of enrichment and experience. Thanks to the constant collaborative work and the links established between the partners throughout the project. The experience of some colleagues who have participated in other projects of this type have fully supported and advised the coordinators who were new to the processes and procedures. - The schools that were represented at each mobility visit by both teachers, as well as pupils, found that the experience of the project introduced a new “European dimension” to their own establishment, one that was positive contribution to the life and atmosphere within each of the participating schools. The project has now finished within the planned time frame, but it will continue to exist, through the strong connections and friendships that have developed during the course of each been mobility visit. As a permanent reminder and celebration of the achievement of the participating staff and students, the Common Monument, which will be inaugurated and exhibited in each school. Finally, the project and its educational, cultural and human aspects made it possible for colleagues to discover the enriching side of Erasmus projects and ideas for future collaborations are already being discussed and planned by the current delegates.