Living in a knowledge-based society, as nowadays world is, can prove to be quite a challenge for the individual who has not been previously prepared for it. Therefore, the issue of taking responsibility in forming functional members of the society has caught the attention of education experts and practicians, who highlight the fact that information is not enough in today’s world, but exchange of experience is also vital. The CENTRE project (CREATIVE EUROPEAN NETWORK TOWARDS RESPOSABILITY IN EDUCATION) is about assuming common responsibility in educating the youth by means of exchanging best practices and non-formal approaches, which emphasize the acquisition of competencies and skills and the use ICT tools. It also emphasizes resposability as a necessary trait of citizens living in a socially inclusive society. Target groups are three schools in Romania (Colegiul National “Costache Negruzzi” Iasi – coordinating school), Germany (Städtisches Sigena Gymnasium Nürnberg), and Sweden (Stora Vallaskolan) that will involve 36 students (aged 14-17) and 6 teachers in activities on social inclusion, specifically on human rights, responsibility, anti-hate speech, active citizenship, media literacy, cultural diversity, brought together within the same framework of increasing responsibility in these aspects of everyday life, contributing to their personal and professional development. The nucleus of this partnership is the 3 exchanges students and teachers will participate in (7 days/exchange). Each partner school will send 6 students to each host country (12 in total) and host schools will directly involve 12 students when hosting an exchange. Students will connect online to prepare exchanges - a combination of formal learning, best practice exchange, non-formal activities, sharing and evaluating meant to increase knowledge and know-how on the above topics. Prior to exchanges, a short term training event will be hosted by the coordinating school so as to ensure teacher training by experts and support the appropriate management and implementation methodology to be applied for a successful project. The expected results are closely related to meeting the overall objectives of the project and of each of the project activities. Therefore, after each exchange, alongisde competences the participants will gain gradually, they will present at least 4 resulted products, 12 in total (graphic stories and comics on social responsibility and anti-hate speech, play scripts on cultural diversity and tolerance, nationally-inspired costumes made of recycling materials, letters to officials written by students as active citizens, short films to be shared on twinspace and social media to further raise awareness). Upon project completion, participants will have created a twinspace to share project results and the project website. The CENTRE partnership also seeks to create in-depth knowledge and awareness of the students’ own cultures and others’; a better understanding of how societies function and the ability to interact in intercultural settings; means to provide mutual support, new learning and teaching methods and resources; development of incorporated ICT tools in education; diversity as a positive experience; updated school policies and strategies as to integrate the topics across various learning domains; strong network of education institutions. Although not immediately visible and not entirely quantifiable throughout time, the effect of the project shall be multiplied in other school communities, as results will be shared amongst groups in each country and even internationally. As a consequence, exchange of know-how and the results of the project will definitely be incorporated in the schools’ regular activities and lessons learnt along the project will not only serve as treasured experiences, but as turning points in the evolution of the institutions involved. Overall, participants will internalize their roles, rights and responsibilities as citizens, not only of their local community, but also world citizens, thus ensuring unbiased, cordial and fruitful networks with people all around them. The project is CREATIVE in the sense that it seeks to enhance students’ ability to come up with contexts and solutions to social situations. It is EUROPEAN as it promotes values which are common to citizens of the Union and which every citizen should be aware of and act accordingly. It aims to create a NETWORK of schools, starting with the three participating schools and further seeking partners and beneficiaries to ensure sustainability.Teachers and institutions involved will work together TOWARDS RESPOSABILITY IN EDUCATION as it has proved to be the core efficient means through which positive change in society can be brought about.
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