Young Europeans Speak Up!! Erasmus Project

Project Title

Young Europeans Speak Up!!

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 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

YES-U!

In the past decades most European countries have shown increasing interest in student involvement in school management, the direction of their studies and their will to raise their voice and speak up for societal and political issues concerning not only school but the larger community as well. Although nowadays students have opportunities to determine their educational course to some extent, to be actively involved and propose solutions for general problems in their respective societies, they sometimes lack interest, initiative, responsibility and dedication. At the same time a large number of young people ARE eager to speak up on urgent matters. However, they need eager ears (of the grown ups) as well.

This project aims to encourage young people to believe in themselves, raise their voice, have faith in democratic values and engage in causes bigger than themselves.Thus they will apply the principles of active citizenship and contribute to a renewal of the use of their democratic rights. This is an effort that has to start with the students themselves: this is our main motive in the YES-U! project(Young Europeans Stand Up!). Our objectives are to lead students to reflect on the impact of indifference in contrast to dedication, to explore the boundaries of their power over things, think critically and creatively about new ways to face problems, promote their active participation as members of their respective societies. We also want our students to promote their language skills, use modern technology in a creative and positive way, acquire social and dialogue competences and promote intercultural tolerance, as well as forward innovative forms of learning in cooperation with partner schools.

The six partner schools are:
Sandnes videregående skole (upper secondary public school in Sandnes, Norway)
Regionale Scholengemeenschap ‘t Rijks (comprehensive secondary school in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands)
A’ Arsakeio Tositseio Lykeio Ekalis (a non-profit general upper secondary school in Athens, Greece)
Lycee Vauban (upper secondary school in Brest, France)
Liceo Scientifico Statale Galileo Galilei (science upper secondary school in Catania, Italy)
Gimnazija Kranj ( comprehensive secondary school in Kranj, Slovenia)

Our methodologies will include:
– task-based learning
– developing skills in training activities
– visual presentations to reflect and disseminate student experiences
– surveys
– comparative studies
– conference, debate and public-speaking
– dissemination activities (writing newspaper articles, producing video etc.)
– visits to local institutions/organizations
– lectures/presentations/workshops
– design and production of posters and visual presentations
– artwork
– visits to places of historical and cultural importance
– expert lectures

Results will include:
– project logo
– multimedia presentations that document and reflect upon student research
– (personal) story presentations that showcase the use of student voice (past and present)
– a toolkit for effective use of student voice
– questionnaires designed by students to analyse the current level of student voice in each partner school
– a campaign to promote and raise awareness to use your voice
– exhibition of all project work
– international student council

The activities we have planned for each transnational meeting are aimed at encouraging the students to use their voice.
Activities will include:
-analysis and comparison of different sources(newspaper/online) articles about the project themes
-tailored lectures by experts on the subject
-workshops on rhetorics, debating
-workshops on the use of Art as a means of expression
-survey on Student Voice in their institutions
-conference on innovative ways to use your voice
-trips to locations and landmarks that highlight the theme

Through these activities, students will learn about the evolution of democratic institutions in school, the way student voice was used in the past, different models employed for student voice in their respective schools, issues affecting school life being linked to community life. They will also promote art as a means of expression, develop communication skills, be aware of the power of their voice, solve problems and publish their views in pamphlets or website, and finally organize an exhibition of all project work.

The impact on the students is expected to enhance awareness about the importance of student voice, critical-thinking skills, self-empowerment, self-esteem, analytical, media, speaking and IT skills. As for the teachers, this project will contribute in increasing their motivation and strengthen their professional profile, while it will offer the school and larger community an opportunity to trigger changes in terms of modernization and deeper democratisation. In the long term, this process will offer the school communities a toolkit publicly accessible by everyone who intends to strengthen the student voice and promote active citizenship.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 192826 Eur

Project Coordinator

Sandnes videregående skole & Country: NO

Project Partners

• A’ Arsakeio Tositseio Lykeio Ekalis
• Regionale Scholengemeenschap ‘t Rijks
• Liceo Scientifico Statale Galileo Galilei
• Lycée Vauban
• Gimnazija Kranj