Europe is not a place but an idea. The readiness to make an effort can't be merely left to politics but we all - within our own sphere of life and activity - are asked to participate in the European idea. Therefore "Europe" is a pedagogical/educational assignment for schools, because good education is decisive for a sustainable future of Europe. Especially young people will be educated to open-mindedness, tolerance and respect for other cultures and the European idea will be increased. This project at issue has its main emphasis on young people's support in languages, life long learning as a chance for the future, analysis of their own and their project partners' culture in order to strengthen their identity and the understanding among nations. On the other hand young people's actual life is more present in every day school life by increased use of digital media. 30 students of both partners as well as four teachers per school will participate in this two years lasting project and planned journeys. All people of the participating schools will indirectly support the project as hosts. Parents - important as school partners - will support the project as host families as well as the young people in their getting to know local customs and traditions. On the one hand cultural common grounds and characteristics with and differences to project partners will be worked on in joint workshops. On the other hand regional main emphasis and best-practice examples for the use of digital media in lessons will be dealt with. The achieved results will be presented on an especially for this project produced homepage as well as in local and regional media.
Europe is not a place but an idea. The readiness to make an effort can't be merely left to politics but we all - within our own sphere of life and activity - are asked to participate in the European idea. Therefore "Europe" is a pedagogical/educational assignment for schools, because good education is decisive for a sustainable future of Europe. Especially young people will be educated to open-mindedness, tolerance and respect for other cultures and the European idea will be increased. This project at issue has its main emphasis on young people's support in languages, life long learning as a chance for the future, analysis of their own and their project partners' culture in order to strengthen their identity and the understanding among nations. On the other hand young people's actual life is more present in every day school life by increased use of digital media. 18 students from Hungary and 12 students from Austria took part in this 2-year project. The project teams consisted of 3 teachers per school location. In addition, local colleagues also supported the project work because they were involved in the project process in the role of the host. The parents also supported the project work by accompanying the young people as hosts to get to know local customs and traditions. In workshops cultural aspects and peculiarities of the individual countries or their regions but also similarities between the partner countries were developed and explained. Digital media were also used and the youngsters learned to use the numerous uses of iPads and smartphones in many different ways. In all activities, the common was placed above the separating and thus fears of the foreign removed and respect and tolerance towards the other built. A song book, a photo calendar and a digital herbarium were created as visible results of the project work. The course of the project can be found on a separate project homepage, which can be easily accessed via a link from the respective school.