Global warming is a threat to our country, but also to the whole world. In Germany, the topic of the “energy transition” has played an overriding role, and not just since the conflict in Ukraine. Our task as teachers and citizens is to raise awareness among our students and show them which behaviors contribute to a positive development and which can be harmful. By working with our partners, they were able to compare their behavior in terms of energy saving and waste with that of others in order to implement good ideas in their own school environment and ensure that behavior changes. As “sustainability delegates”, they worked within the school community to develop alternatives for action and behavior and to reflect on and change habits. In addition, we wanted to improve English language skills by communicating, working and preparing and giving presentations in “multinational” workshops during all mobilities. Face-to-face activities during the mobilities, “ice-breaker” activities and also the time spent with host families were intended to break down barriers and develop a common understanding.
The Oberschule Papenteich has been working with European partners on sustainability issues for many years as part of Erasmus programs. This opens up a wide range of development opportunities, which our school makes use of with information and comparisons with our partners. The absolute focus is on the increasing participation of parents, pupils and all other participants in the school community. The sustainability goals are to be focused on in many activities and projects. The majority of the school community would like to develop the school into a modern school that meets the demands of the increasing challenges of our European community. However, this also means major changes, which this school community, including the school authorities, is quite prepared to make. This will increasingly allow for the inclusion of all European experiences, knowledge and skills of our students in terms of citizenship, languages and culture, which will meet the demand for preparation for life after school.