National Identity – to be young in Europe with a lot of faces – today and in the future Erasmus Project

Project Title

National Identity – to be young in Europe with a lot of faces – today and in the future

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; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

This project is primarily concerned with European integration, which often involves the hope that not only an economic and a political community is formed, but also an emotionally based we-feeling.
It must be considered intensively, what it means for young people to be Europeans. It also examines how European identity fits into the context of other identities (such as regional and national identities) and how young people are involved in their region, nation, and Europe. Addressing the issue of national identity in Europe aims at the foundations of the European Union.
The process of growing together in Europe will be given priority by the youth. Therefore, it is important that they first become aware of their national identity as foreseen in this project. This is done by examining their own socialization and comparing it with that of the partner schools.
The European added value lies in the fact that the young participants meet in person, travel to other European countries, throw light on their childhood and youth and thus on a part of their national identity. This observation makes it clear that today’s Europe still has many different faces and is viewed very critically by many young people who have not realized yet what opportunities the united Europe offers them, and even a resignation as demanded in Greece. On the other hand, the project will prepare the young people for their solidarity in shaping the Europe of the future, although not only the positive aspects but also the social and economic disparities that can be observed in the EU are addressed. An example of this is the movement of climate activist Greta Thunberg, which manages to unite young people in solidarity.
The project involves pupils and teachers from six European secondary schools. The age of the pupils is between 12 and 18 years. Because the Italian school also has a primary school, it could well be that one or the other times even primary school students are involved. There should be transnational learning, teaching and training activities in all participating countries. The Pupils should stay in host families. Therefore, it is possible to participate more pupils than indicated in the activity budget. During the project interim, the students are working on the project topic in a working group.
The activities are made accessible to the other participating schools by the pupils via the new media (youtube). The project homepage is the presentation tool for the project activity in the individual countries. The students are involved in the project planning, present, write texts, conduct interviews, take pictures. They impart language skills to foreign students in talks. Together, they learn the basics of the native languages of the countries involved in the project, leading to further identification with Europe.
The project work will incorporate aesthetic learning. In addition to personal experiences regarding their own national and European identity, the pupils will make aesthetic experiences and develop artistic products through various artistic expressions. They are also occupied with the languages ​​of the participating institutions and they will learn basic skills and create a language guide.
The pupils and the teachers will recognize that linguistic diversity in Europe is not an obstacle to a European identity. They see that the boundaries of national identity are becoming increasingly irrelevant, and that this development is being strengthened with advancing foreign language skills. This will enable them to interactively use language, symbols and text. The language competence is promoted.
By designing the content and methods throughout the project, participants are supported in acquiring and developing key skills. By dealing with the question of a European identity and the compatibility with the national identity with regard to young people, the project trains their capacity for criticism and cooperation. The method of aesthetic approaches in project work fosters the creativity of the participants.
Understanding of democracy, participation and youth policy are promoted by the young people, together with preparation and follow-up, creating an online school newspaper, choosing a common head boy or girl and forming a European youth organization. In addition, the ability to organize as well as the ability to reflect are trained.
All in all, intercultural and lifelong learning are promoted.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 162836 Eur

Project Coordinator

Hessenwaldschule & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Klaipedos Hermano Zudermano gimnazija
• Collège Jean Zay
• Istituto Comprensivo Teresa Mattei
• 2.Gymnasio Chalkidas
• Gymnazium Mnichovo Hradiste, príspevkova organizace