BUILDING A BETTER EUROPE THROUGH SPORTS VALUES

As we continue to walk together in the creation process of a European Union with recognisable values and beliefs shared by all state members and their citizens, projects that emphasise integration across countries and place citizenship at the core of their programmes are still deemed the most relevant. Indeed, for a strong European Union to become a reality, cultural diversity and differences are to be celebrated while identifying those aspects we all have in common and which help us to define ourselves as Europeans. The importance of sports as a means of social integration, which is the main focus of this project, is therefore one more specific objective to reach that broader goal of creating a Union that caters for every single citizen. Project objectives were designed taking all of this into account. Firstly, highlighting the things we share and analysing common roots through sports, studying the evolution of sports across Europe and their role in society, and identifying the connection between the human body and physical activity. Secondly, sharing different sport practices and lifestyles from each country, together with people’s attitude towards Physical Education, helped us to focus on the differences and boost the participants’ critical thinking skills. Comparing the similarities and differences between the educational systems and sharing innovative practices and methodologies carried out by participating teachers also contributed to improve understanding between state members so that new ideas can be incorporated into their daily lives. Finally, cooperation between teachers, students and parents, and the use of digital tools along the project and English as a means of communication to help with this, provided a framework in which interpersonal skills were put into practise in order to negotiate meaning and reach a common goal. Five secondary education schools from different socio-economic backgrounds and different geographical areas, both rural and urban, have participated in the project. A myriad of activities were carried out, taking the needs and goals of the project into account, but also the interests and motivations of all participating members. These included formal student-led debates, research-based oral presentations, speaker conferences to get expertise knowledge, and teacher forums in which the different educational systems were analysed, and specific, innovative practices in P.E. were shared. As a result of these activities, and according to the different types of assessments that were carried out along the process, not only have all participating members demonstrated a significant improvement in their foreign language skills, but also in public speaking, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Digital competence was boosted, as have critical values such as cross-cultural understanding, responsibility or self-esteem. Teacher and student accountability, crucial in collaborative and cooperative settings, was also key in working to meet the pre-established goals. All of this has resulted in an increase of awareness by members as far as physical activity and its effects on one’s well-being are concerned. While many of the above-mentioned results do have far-reaching implications and longer-term benefits, formal debating is an area which schools have decided to introduce into their school programmes and integrate across the different areas. Another area which seems to have created an impact is the need for high-quality bilingual education models to be introduced in those systems with no similar models.