Nature and Culture Explorers – understanding our European heritage.

Project summary

Nature and cultural hertiage is more than natural and historical monuments left behind from the past. It is all the things, places and practices that define who we are as individuals, regions and countries. We can see it in the buildings, townscapes, and in archaeological remains. Culture can be perceived through natural sources as well. It is preserved through books, artifacts, photographs, art, and oral tradition. Cultural heritage is in the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the religions we follow, and the skills we learn. Europe is the place where lots of influences and natural treasures meet together creating new horizons of the people. The rich and diverse cultural and natural heritage of Europe is one of the key to our common roots. We want to build new relationship among young people in Europe, improning the attainment of them, particulary those at risk of early school leaving. Our children will have the opportunity to develop a full understanding of and respect for other cultures which have the same roots and will in a creative expression know more about different cultures and their natural and cultural heritage. Not everyone of our pupils feels a connection with their cultural heritage, some think traditions are archaic and no longer relevant, and that they are unnecessary during these modern times. They don`t think about nature and next generations. Since the dawn of people existence, the man was in the middle of nature using all its gifts. Protecting the European nature treasures is an issue that must be of general concern. Because of that our project will be based on common mutual topics which will motivate both students and staff alike to explore, exchange and learn about natural and cultural heritage. Our partnership hopes to not only raise the intercultural competence but also have a positive influence on everyday life also in the future in muliticultural Europe. Those that identify strongly with a certain heritage are often more likely to help out others in that same community. We will begin with understanding the culture. Only then may we begin to value it. From there, we can learn to care for a culture and enjoy it. With more enjoyment, we will want to learn and understand more. All partners schools want to take part in European cooperation activities because we are sure that such partnership will give our pupils a great possibility to learn about different countries and nationalities, to improve their English, reading and writing skills, to be better and more active Europeans and to create inter-cultural dialogue between students and teachers. But the most important think is that they will cooperate with other European teenagers in the fild of heritage and european influences. Culture can give people connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions and customs. It allows them to identify with others of similar mindsets and backgrounds. Cultural heritage can provide an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and allows us to better understand previous generations and the history of where we come from. Now we can observe in Europe a huge melting pot of people from all over the world so for our students from six different countries it will be a good opportunity to face with migration and other cultures. Our project offers a variety of collaborative activities which will bring students, communities and nations together, thus highlighting commonalities and bridging nature, cultural and ethic differences. By disseminating the actions of the whole project to local and regional level organisations or institutes positive awareness for some aspects or areas can guide policy-making decisions around school curricula. On a national and international level decisions have the potential to encourage a culture of lifelong enjoyment and success. Thus the idea of creating a more active learning environment in everyday student life which promotes and improves basic skills as well as other transversal skills is sound - a well-balanced child becomes a well-balanced citizen; one which reaches their full potential.