United Friends for better Future

First of all, we wanted to give our students international opportunities. Prejudice and racism arise towards what is unknown. That's why it's important that our youngsters have personal contacts w...

First of all, we wanted to give our students international opportunities. Prejudice and racism arise towards what is unknown. That's why it's important that our youngsters have personal contacts with their peers in different countries and cultures. Secondly, our students need to practice their language skills. The third important reason for this project were environmental issues. We wanted all stakeholders to take a critical look at their ways to consume and at their carbon, water, plastics and ecological footprints.

Kickoff meeting for teachers, face-to-face workshop for students in each participating school, online meetings, virtual cooperation of students and teachers in schools' international clubs. We organized logo competition, where all students in each school were able to participate. Also a nature experience video -competition was first organized in each school, and the winner was voted from the three finalists with an online voting. Students also made different kinds of presentations about eco-school practices and tolerance. Recycling and sorting rules of each organization were translated into English. All stakeholders answered surveys about recycling. There was also a survey at the end of the project where all stakeholders had to evaluate if they have learned more about recycling and started to pay more attention to recycling and sustainability. Students also answered surveys about their international experiences and language skills.

All participants made new contacts and friends from abroad. Some students also made new friends in their own schools in international clubs. Language skills improved. We learned a lot about each others' cultures. Many students traveled abroad for the first time and learned a lot through that. We saw how people live in other countries and learned to respect their way of life in that way. We learned about recycling, sustainability and environmental facts. Interest in Erasmus projects in our schools increased. Teachers gained a lot of experience and new skills in Erasmus projects. We took a step towards permanent and fluent international practices in our organizations by creating and sharing different kinds of forms to be used in project preparations. Students were encouraged to use digital skills more creatively. All activities, outputs and results were gathered on a project web page and a digital book.