Strengthening Democracy by Building Relations Across Borders – How Can Young People Influence Politics? Erasmus Project

Project Title

Strengthening Democracy by Building Relations Across Borders – How Can Young People Influence Politics?

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: Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship

Project Summary

Project summary KA229 Erasmus project 2019
Context/Background: Political events in various countries, within the EU as well as globally, indicate that democracies are under threat. This is partially due to an increasing fear of foreigners and otherness as well as growing discontent with existing political institutions, but also to some extent lack of knowledge and personal contacts. We believe these trends can be counteracted by building closer relationships across borders as we envisage in this project.
Objectives: The main goal of this project is to raise the students’ awareness of the advantages of democracy, but also of the work involved in upholding democracy. Students will get a hands-on experience of the past and be encouraged to question existing trends by comparing Norwegian and German political systems thus creating a greater awareness of their own actions and beliefs.
Number and profile of participants: A group of students studying German and 2 teachers of German from Lillestrøm VGS and a group of students studying English and 2 teachers from Erich-Kästner-Gymnasium will visit each other for 10 days.
Activities: Activities will range from updates via social media throughout the duration of the project (likes and dislikes), teleconferences and eTwinning seminars (what engages and what not?) at the beginning and end of the project to personal encounters in Laatzen and Lillestrøm (discovering similarities). There will be Q&A sessions with local politicians and organisations both in Lillestrøm and Laatzen after which the students can compare local forms of government and how various groups try to influence politics. In Lillestrøm the students will witness the elections taking place in school prior to the local elections in Norway. In Germany the students will be shown examples from the past.
Methodology: We intend to start the first contact between the students by writing brief presentation posts. The teachers in both countries will assist in partnering the students according to interests and hobbies. The students will then contact their partners individually before welcoming the German students in Lillestrøm in September. The Norwegian students will prepare short presentations explaining the local governing system as well as our own project “Lillestorting” (a school version of Model United Nations) for the guests. Thereby the students in both countries will increase their own understanding of how democracy works. The following interviews with local politicians and organisations will give the students first-hand answers to their questions. Once knowledge of the system is established, the students will explore other ways of influencing democracy through political organisations and media (traditional media as well as social media).
In Laatzen similar presentations to those in Lillestrøm will be held to illustrate the local governing system in Germany. When students are familiar with more systems, they can better discuss the advantages and disadvantages. A guided tour of the Stasiprison Hohenschönhausen and a guided tour through East and West Berlin focussing on historical relevant sights will give the students an idea of a past where democracy was absent followed by a discussion of how this was possible and more interestingly, how this can be prevented in the future.
Results and impact: At the end of the project we plan a podcast in which the topic “Effort for Democracy – How Can Young People Influence Politics?” is discussed as well as an exhibition in school. This podcast will then be used in lessons both in Lillestrøm and Laatzen. In addition to this, students prepare shorter presentations for other classes showcasing their findings, thus making the exchange students representatives and diplomats of democracy across borders.
Envisaged results: In the long run we hope to see increased participation in elections, and ultimately a trend towards a more united Europe.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 64590 Eur

Project Coordinator

Lillestrøm videregående skole & Country: NO

Project Partners

• Erich Kaestner Gymnasium Laatzen