Our project was built in such a way that our students would acquire knowledge about European democracy, develop different skills, and revise and even change their attitudes towards cultures that they were not familiar with. We, the educators, wanted the pupils to gain knowledge of contemporary European issues such as democracy, sustainability and human rights, but also to understand how to actively participate in society at various levels, including school, local, national, and across national borders. We wanted to work on developing our students’ skills, particularly in communication and digital collaboration, enabling them to engage effectively. The project also aimed to foster a positive attitude towards other cultures, encouraging pupils to interact with peers from different countries and backgrounds through collaborative activities online and in-person. Additionally, we teachers wanted to share our experience with each other and other colleagues in our respective schools and create innovative and interactive activities and lessons.
The aim of the A.C.T. project was to promote active European citizenship in upper-secondary schools in Belgium, Italy, Norway and Sweden. Through this project, students from the four participating schools have gained knowledge about democracy, sustainability and human rights within the European context. This European Union funded initiative has also sought to help students develop communication and digital skills which are essential for actively engaging in democratic processes as young Europeans. Additionally, the project intended to guide students in broadening their social and cultural perspectives, fostering respect and open-mindedness towards peers from different cultures. The needs of the four participating schools overlapped. The Belgian school aimed to combat prejudice and revitalize interest in foreign languages, while the Italian school focused on breaking down monocultural prejudices. Norwegian and Swedish schools sought international exposure and democratic engagement. The Swedish school also prioritized supporting non-European students in understanding European democracy. Digital technology and democratic participation were central to all organizations, with parts of the project conducted online.