DEMOCRACY MATTERS Erasmus Project

Project Title

DEMOCRACY MATTERS

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: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship

Project Summary

Increasing social challenges such as migration and international tensions and increasing social inequality within Europe mean a large amount of insecurity to many people. This leads to increasing re-nationalization, to populism and anti-democratization and finally to an increasing division of society on a national and international level. This is evident not only in Brexit, but also in the successes of populist parties across Europe. These also endanger the functionality of the EU and the cooperation of its member states. The search for simple, predominantly national solutions is carried out from various sides, often combined with criticism of the EU and its institutions as well as doubting the usefulness and meaning of democratic processes.
The project focuses upon the interests of young people and supports them in developing their capacity for democracy, criticism, judgment and action, and actively contributing to the development of a democratic community. It is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about building up values. This is the only way young people can become responsible and committed citizens – whether in schools, companies, associations or political organizations.
The project is aimed at students between the ages of 16 and 19 who will leave school in the foreseeable future to start vocational training or study. They will be soon or are already entitled to vote and participate in decision-making processes in various ways.
The project is divided into five parts.
At the beginning, civil and human rights and their meaning in our everyday life are discussed following the motto “Fight for Human Rights”. The aim is to learn to represent one’s own rights as well as to respect and accept the rights of others and to actively stand up for their enforcement and defence. The date is chosen so that Human Rights Day is celebrated with all schools.
“Have your Say” is directly linked with the first activity. Active citizenship requires active participation in the opinion-building processes and appropriate presentation of one’s own opinion, as well as the ability to fight tendencies that are anti-democratic and anti -constitutional.
Democratic opinion-forming and decision-making processes are increasingly influenced by fake news and targeted manipulations. These mechanisms and their effects on a democratic social order are to be recognized and uncovered in “fake or fact”.
Following the motto “We are EU”, all previous activities are summarized and placed in a European context. The participants develop, on their individual future visions for the EU.
The teacher training “Creative Classroom” serves to exchange good practice, possible methodical and didactic approaches and the design of project activities as well as a general improvement of teaching abilities. Improved methodological competence leads to more motivation and the promotion of learning success for both teachers and students.
All methods are highly student-centred. Role-playing, scenario techniques, surveys and their evaluation, interviews with local politicians, visits to radio stations and newspaper editorial offices are among the planned methods. All results are summarized, presented and, as far as possible, publicly displayed. Teacher training through coaches and the exchange of best practice examples support this approach.

Overall, all participants improve their professional, methodological and social skills. They recognize themselves as “agents of change” for their own life and the lives of others. The students take on their role as active EU citizens and recognize their influence on democratic decisions. They express their own opinion appropriately and respect others’. They develop their tolerance as well as a reflective and sensitive perception of various social and political interests. Teachers expand their knowledge / skills to develop projects, teaching units and materials as well as their skills in the development of cooperative forms of learning to promote independent lifelong learning. They provide handouts, curricula and materials that are integrated into the curricula of the individual schools. In addition, schools will celebrate Human Rights Day and Europe Day with joint actions in the future.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 158960 Eur

Project Coordinator

Handelslehranstalt Hameln & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Lycée David d’Angers
• Stredna odborna skola dopravy a sluzieb, Jesenskeho 1, Nove Zamky
• Sundlergymnasiet
• I.E.S. Ntra. Sra. de la Cabeza
• istituto istruzione superiore arcangelo ghisleri