The value of different cultures

CONTEXTIn this project, 5 schools from Europe are involved, with the main objective to increase pupils' interest in the cultural heritage of their country, as well as respect for the culture of other peoples. It is important for the young people in the present so-called globalization phenomenon - the tendency to ignore the traditional values, to look back to the origins, to find out the roots without which we cannot prosper. We, therefore, want to cultivate patriotic feelings for our students, focusing them at the same time on the past, but also on the future, on their culture, but also on the cultures of the neighboring peoples. It is very important to be familiar with your own culture, to know your roots, to know who you are. PARTICIPANTSThe people involved in the project are English, History, Geography, Music, Art, Literature teachers, administrators, parents, representatives of the local government. The students involved in the project are 1000, of which 100 are children with ESC. Their age is between 11 and 14 years old. Of these, 150-200 students will be selected, about 30 students from each country will be involved in pre-trade training activities, 100 will participate during exchanges, and after shifts, those involved in the project will disseminate information to other students from schools. Accompanying teachers: 2 teachers/country/exchange – a coordinator and a Geography/Literature/History/IT/Arts teacherOBJECTIVESThe main objective of the project is the cultural and intercultural awareness of the persons involved in its implementation. From the perspective of student involvement, we set the following objectives:O1: raising awareness of the culture of at least 80% of the students involved, improving respect for history, geography, arts, dance.O2: familiarity with the term interculturality and increasing respect for the culture of other European countries, namely history, geography, customs, traditions.O3: Improving ICT skills by using mobile applications and online tools used in the proposed activitiesO4: developing communication, organizational, analytical, research, teamwork skills.O5: Increasing self-esteem, respect for others, trust in self-confidence.O6: Promoting tolerance by accepting the diversity that unites usAt school level, the objectives are:1. Improving international co-operation2. Increasing the motivation of teachers3. Improving the communication and cooperation between all the persons involved in the projectMAIN ACTIVITIESWe plan to organize 5 exchanges, each dedicated and hosted by each partner:1. C1 - The German heritage – hosted by Germany in Nov 20192. C2 – The Hungarian Heritage – hosted by HU in Feb 20203. C3 – The Romanian Heritage – May 20204. C4 – The Turkish Heritage – Nov 20205. C5 – The Spanish Heritage – Apr 2021RESULTSTangible results: website, brochures (European Patrimony), travel log, e-twinning space, questionnaires, Europass mobility documents, evaluation forms etc.IMPACTThe impact on the students involved in the project will be considerable. Participants learn new things about geography, history, literature, music, traditions and German cuisine; learn to be more tolerant, accept cultural differences; observe the similarities between cultures; to know the learning environment of a German student; compare the education system in Germany with that of the native country; get in touch with people of their age, know their living environment, hobbies. We are tempted by students to improve their communication skills in English; teamwork; expressing consent or disagreement; to negotiate in a multicultural context; to increase the participants' self-confidence. This project will lay the foundation for future cooperation among schools through eTwinning and Erasmus+.