The Four Freedoms Erasmus Project

Project Title

The Four Freedoms

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: Social dialogue; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Home and justice affairs (human rights & rule of law)

Project Summary

The exchange programme of the two schools in Alkmaar and Berlin is a two-year project with as main theme the four freedoms of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
We are aiming to introduce, research and work with two of the Freedoms per year.

During the first year of the exchange we will use the freedom of speech and freedom from want and the second year we will work with freedom of worship and freedom from fear.

By working with two of the four aspects during one year we can use the results from the first year onwards to the next year. Students will end their project with a presentation, which will lead to a complete presentation of the four freedoms at the end of the two-year programme.
Per school 30 students of year 3 HAVO/VWO/gymnasium (14/15 years) and 5 teachers/supervisors will participate per year. During the programme this will lead to 60 pupils working together on Four Freedoms project. Every year, students will visit Alkmaar and Berlin once.

The main theme: The Four Freedoms:

The words spoken by Franklin Roosevelt over 70 years ago have lost none of its topicality. Keeping in mind all growing local, national and international issues the words spoken by Roosevelt can help to improve understanding and respect between people. By taking notice of differences and similarities between people in an open and honest way we believe that our students can learn and see how people get in touch with each other and live together in an equal society.

Two groups of students, one group from the provincial Alkmaar and one from the city of Berlin will work together on the four freedoms project. Not only to research and examine the key issues of this and carry this out, but also to get to know each other and respect each other’s differences. Eventually, they will notice that the meeting with peers, often of a different origin, can lead to increased understanding and respect.

After an introduction and preparation day, students go on excursions to see vigorous and stimulating places which have left their mark in history. These places are all symbolic of the four freedoms or the violation of them. Examples include the Anne Frank House, a concentration camp, a synagogue and a mosque. Following these visits, the students go on to study and research the freedoms and their experiences. Afterwards, we will organise a debate. Students will have to take stands on different situations, issues and aspects, all in relation to our theme. There will be a jury, a moderator and to keep an eye on the set rules of discussion. At the end of the exchange, the students put their impressions and opinions in English on a website for all to see.

After the second year there will be a lesson plan based on the project results and experiences. This lesson plan can be used as teaching aids for students and teachers who have not participated in the exchange. It can also be used for the Master Peace classes for all groups at our school. Ultimately, the lesson plan will be provided to the educational department of the Four Freedoms Organization to introduce national and possibly international students with freedoms. As a long-term effect, we hope that students understand that despite the differences, there is more that unites us than that divides us.

Project Website

https://fourfreedoms.albrecht-duerer-gymnasium.de/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 52184 Eur

Project Coordinator

Stedelijk Dalton College Alkmaar & Country: NL

Project Partners

• Albrecht-Duerer-Oberschule (Gymnasium)