"""Water unites us!"""

"A big part of the earth is covered by water. Humans, who have always been an integral part of aquatic ecosystems (AQUE), handle the latter in various ways. ""Water unites us!"" was a multidisciplinary Erasmus+ KA2 project that focused on aquatic ecology. The main point of the project was to conduct a research into the similarities and differences among the participants' findings as far as the interaction between humans and the AQUE was concerned. Schools from six European countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Turkey) were involved in the project and focused on a variety of AQUE, e.g. seaside, lake, river, lagoon, waterfall and wetland and highlight their special features. We intent to exchange our experiences and ideas and create the space and conditions required for creativity, sharing the joy of spending time together. Furthermore we wanted to raise intercultural competence by working together in international groups. The project activities were integrated into the curriculum of the participating students at the institutions involved. “History”, “Literature”, “Foreign languages”, “Mathematics”, “Natural Sciences”, ""Art and Crafts"", “Information and Computer Technology”, ""Physical Education"" and “Catering” were relative subjects. Our students aimed to explore the water bodies, the various abiotic environmental parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity, salinity, conductivity, hardness, ions) of certain AQUE as well as the biodiversity. They worked in the field but also in the school laboratory in order to get familiar with computer and information as well as laboratory technology. They also highlighted local history, culture, traditions, cuisine and got familiar with water sports. At the same time they intent to record and mark out the cultural and socioeconomic activities that take place in this framework.Very often, though, human activities disturb ecological balance. Finishing our project, we hoped to have raised environmental consciousness among students, teachers, parents and the public and highlighted the greatness of Mother Nature! In addition we believed in sensitizing the local community and the authorities to take measures for a rational use of the AQUE aiming at its sustainability according to Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The project seeked to encourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge and customs with the interaction of students over creative activities such as practicing water sports, taking photos from the ecosystems, recording, filming and doing research work in the field and in the school laboratory. We hoped that students would maintain a correspondence even after the end of the project because our ultimate aim was to create and maintain close ties between young Europeans!"