Compassionate Global Citizens Erasmus Project

Project Title

Compassionate Global Citizens

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Creativity and culture; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

Our Project is entitled “Compassionate Global Citizens” and arose as we reflected on how far our schools have come collectively in the 15+ years we have been involved in Comenius and latterly Erasmus+. In that time we have seen a great change in the way in which we communicate as ICT has greatly enhanced our communication, we hope that video conferencing will take this a step further allowing us to enter each other’s schools and classrooms in real time. It has great potential to enhance teaching and learning by allowing us to share our expertise “live”, whether this is through sharing staff with expertise in particular areas, or allowing pupils to meet face to face especially younger pupils who due to age would be unable to travel.

This would provide the stimulus for pupils to explore, share and create ideas and ultimately their own works of Recycled Art, presentations on their research on issues affecting their communities and sharing information about their country of focus outside of Europe.

We believe firmly that the UN Sustainable Goals are an ideal platform through which to develop not only Cultural Awareness but also much coveted employability skills, such as flexibility, perseverance, creative thinking + problem solving. Culture is at the heart of all our communities and has been a feature of mankind since the beginning of recorded times. Each generation has developed and left its mark for the next, unfortunately the impact of our current generation on the environment, affects not only plant and animal existence but also that of mankind itself. We must change our lifestyles to lessen our impact and it is vital that the next generation learns from our mistakes.

With the rapid advances made through technological developments we are in danger of losing skills that are no longer deemed financially viable or necessary and to this end we have integrated art+ crafts through use of recycled materials and sustainable farming and fishing methods so our elder community members and green advocates can share knowledge and skills with our young people. In turn our young people can share their world of computers, virtual classrooms and video conferencing.

Our partnership consists of 5 countries, France, Ireland, Spain, Greece and Northern Ireland, representing both rural and urban life. Our schools range in size from 1,000 to only 15 pupils and span the age range of 3 to 15 years. 5 of the 6 schools have worked together in previous successful partnerships and we view our bond as much more than a working partnership, we are Europeans, educationalists, colleagues and friends. As a result of our project our pupils will develop as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society. Success will be measured through their engagement and commitment to the project, how they involve their parents + grandparents in the project and attendance at our final activity our “Big Classroom Exhibition” either in physically in person or virtually through video conferencing.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 145595 Eur

Project Coordinator

St Mary’s Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Scoil Eoin Pol
• Ecole Sainte Famille
• Mulranny National School
• Monothesio Nipiagogio Neou Zygou
• BEGOÑAZPI IKASTOLA