Our project addressed three major topics: cultural heritage, European values and identity, and creativity and arts. These topics were a perfect match to get to know the cultures of the participating countries. Our goal was to widen the minds of our participants and their fellow students at the different partner schools, and show them that within the European borders, we have a lot of common values, even though our cultural backgrounds can be very different. Through workshops, presentations and cultural visits, our students learned to appreciate the richness of these differences. Trough the differents project activities and assignments, the students would learn to cooperate and develop their key competences. Dealing with their own culture and traditions and presenting them to their peers will make them aware of their own nationality. On the other hand, it will also increase their interest in the cultures and traditions of their partner students. Hosting them in host families would also stimulate their communicative skills in English. It was also our goal to create international friendships between the participants.
Everywhere in Europe, there is a tendency to focus on borders and the differences between people. In some cases, it even leads to political and military conflicts. To counter this feeling of xenophobia, we need to show the adolescent generations that will be the leaders of tomorrow's world that these cultural differences are a heritage we need to cherish and share. We need projects that create mutual understanding and a deep appreciation of diversity. It is only by getting to know each other's background that we can grow towards a democratic community where respect and equality are fundamental values. By finding similarities in cultural habits, projects like this one will enhance the feeling of being part of a united Europe. As school educators, we feel we have a responsability to make our students feel proud to be part of this European community.