Reviving rural areas through sustainable tourism

New generations of students need to be aware of their responsibility towards the future of our planet. They should be guided towards a new vision that prioritizes cultural and natural heritage for...

New generations of students need to be aware of their responsibility towards the future of our planet. They should be guided towards a new vision that prioritizes cultural and natural heritage for sustainability. The project aimed to raise students' awareness of nature and its needs following the period of pandemic-induced isolation. It also highlighted the detrimental impact of human activity on the environment. The project encouraged students to embrace a new philosophy of life centred on cooperation, respect, and dignity. By involving students in sustainable development and tourism, the project aimed to focus on the local environment. This served to help students understand local perspectives, appreciate local values, and recognize the significance of customs and traditions. Students were prompted to observe the downsides of mass tourism in the three countries participating in the project and were encouraged to actively work towards preserving diversity and protecting the environment. Through the project activities, students had the opportunity to experience sustainable lifestyles, learn how to contribute to environmental protection, and boost the local economy.

During the initial stages, preparatory activities took place, including training sessions to familiarize the three countries with EU policies and institutions, online meetings for students to discuss ideas and project work, online meetings for teachers to share ideas and organize project steps, international visits to experience new cultures, and initiatives to promote sustainable travel and rediscover underdeveloped areas. The results were monitored through questionnaires for students, parents, and teachers. Additionally, there were meetings with teachers, students, and parents from our school and nearby schools to share the project experience and results through photo exhibitions, interviews, and videos. Students also acted as ambassadors for their school and presented the project results to other students.

Our young students had the opportunity to meet with their foreign partners, enabling them to broaden their minds and knowledge. They were open to new perspectives, ways of addressing and solving problems, and new behaviours. This experience helped them become more aware of the importance of sustainable travel and the re-evaluation of rural areas, which hold rich traditions and values. They also realized the significance of protecting the environment as their present and future home. Additionally, they learned to appreciate diversity and promote European values. As a group, they created a joint concluding video where all participants shared their experiences and insights. This video was shared through various digital channels and intended to serve as a motivational tool for future international student activities. Moreover, they designed a code of behaviour for sustainable tourism, which they printed and distributed in schools. Throughout the project implementation, we developed instructional materials using the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) method.