Values Education in Action Erasmus Project

Project Title

Values Education in Action

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Integration of refugees

Project Summary

This project is aimed at sharing, changing and disseminating the best applications about 5 basic humanitarian and ethical values and sub-values with the preparation of a wide range of activities on these values. Therefore, not only academic achievement but also the acquisition of fundamental values in the context of a school environment are highlighted , which can ultimately improve students’ emotional and mental abilities that they will need throughout their life. These basic values encompass 5 qualities: Accuracy and Honesty, Positive Behaviour, Inner Peace, Respect and Love, World Peace. Sub-values of these 5 basic values will be discussed with various activities and planned in advance. Activities include: Theatre, Games, Drama, Pictures, Posters, Videos, Presentations, Words of Wisdom, Caricatures, Paintings etc. Digital products created via Web 2.0 tools with ICT support will also be produced. Production of digital products and outputs will be carried out by students and parents with the support of teachers.

In the midst of the “Refugee and Asylum Seekers Crisis” that has become the most severe crisis in Europe since the end of the Second World War, the entire edifice of multiculturalism and interculturalism in Europe is wobbling. The impact of a Values and Ethics Education can become a useful approach towards decreasing potential conflicts between local people and refugees. Learning to live together in peace and harmony implies tolerance. Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures and ways of being human. This project is committed to improving lifelong learning with humanitarian values based on an integrated approach to education . Therefore, individual differences in education will be translated from a problem into an advantage contributing to social inclusion and promoting intercultural and civic competences of students.

The targets for the long term potential effects of the project are inextricably linked to the difference Values Education can make with global and local problems . For teachers and students to be able to adapt more easily in the face of the Economic Crisis ,the “Refugee Crisis” , “Global Terrorist Incidents” and changes in social structure, basic humanitarian values should be integrated into lifelong learning creating an ambience of peace and tolerance and strengthening people’s ability to solve the problems facing them. It is in these critical times that Values and Ethics Education can play a significant part.

In addition to school subjects such as maths, science and social sciences, 5 basic humanitarian and ethical values that students will need throughout their life will also be taught, emphasizing the importance of moral education in schools, not only academic achievement. Values education applications will improve the students’ inner discipline and affect academic achievement directly.

The basic target of the project is to discuss a “Values Education Program” alongside academic education in schools in the context of a defined plan and a system with an integrated approach. For this reason, creating a culture of democracy in schools, replacing peer violence with cooperation,creating an ambience of tolerance and respect to different cultures in schools and developing stronger student-teacher communication are the principal aims. Instrumental in achieving these goals will be the 3 Transnational Meetings and 3 Learning Activities that will be carried out in the project process by teachers and students who belong to different cultures, races and religions coming together to create activities,make decisions and common plans . Above all, “Humanitarian Values” is a global and common subject, not only a community.

In addition, this project incorporates “Values and Ethics Education” into academic education in schools with an integrated approach, setting also an example to organizations which are not a school. “Values Education” can be carried out in all organizations, such as State Institutions and Organizations, Associations, Foundations, Adult Education Organizations, Universities, Prisons, Youth Academies, Youth Centres to mention but a few. These organizations can also implement their own special “Values Education Programme”.

The project consists of 5 partner schools from 5 countries ( Turkey, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Lithuania). Two of these schools are already implementing a “Values Education Programme” in their education processes. The other schools will contribute to the improvement of activities during the implementation of the project “Values Education Programme” and continue the programme after the project with the necessary changes. Target Group of the Project: All staff in school (administration, teachers, other) students and parents. The reason for selecting such a broad target group is that “Humanitarian Values” concerns everyone in a school, not only teachers and students.

Project Website

https://www.yukselen.international/values-education-in-action

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 86272,44 Eur

Project Coordinator

Ozel Yukselen Fen Lisesi & Country: TR

Project Partners

• Mazeikiai Senamiestis Progymnasium
• ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO DON MILANI
• Gymnasium Skövde Västerhöjd
• 5o Gymnasio Karditsas