Our recently completed project, “BUZZING AROUND: BEE-TIFUL JOURNEY TO EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP,” has been made by 6 teachers from 3 countries;Türkiye (Evliya Çelebi Secondary School), Greece (2ndExperimental Primary school of Ierapetra & 4th Primary School of Dionisos/Agios Stefanos)and Italy (IC Zumbini Cosenza) and aimed to foster active citizenship and a sense of European unity among students by promoting empathy, collaboration, and awareness of democratic values.
Through joint activities such as founding a country, choosing a name, suggesting slogans and logos, creating ID cards, electing delegates, forming a Parliamentary Committee, and participating in polls and votes, students experienced each step of democracy by making decisions together.
With video conferences, mixed international teams, and community showcases, the project offered students opportunities to explore their rights and responsibilities, engage in meaningful teamwork, and develop respect for diversity.
By integrating classroom discussions, elections, and hands-on experiences, we empowered young learners to become informed, compassionate individuals committed to social inclusion and solidarity—core values of the European Union. They also learned about democracy, empathy, and respect in a practical and engaging way.
As a result, students not only enhanced their social and leadership skills but also built lasting connections across borders, laying the foundation for lifelong civic engagement. They learned how to speak out, make decisions, vote, identify issues in their communities, and raise awareness—just like active citizens.
The project culminated in a community event that celebrated students’ efforts and reinforced ties between schools and their local environments, ensuring a sustainable and inspiring impact beyond the project’s duration.
Throughout the project, students met frequently online and collaborated to produce impressive outputs: they created posters and organized an exhibition, co-authored “An Active Citizen and Empathy Handbook,” and designed t-shirts with illustrations and slogans for Safer Internet Day.
Thank you, eTwinning!
