K220 Erasmus Project: The New Values of Democracy in today's Europe's

The day began with a visit to the Town Hall of Kluczbork. In the beautiful council chamber of this southern Polish town, the main local authorities welcomed the participants of our Erasmus project. Jarosław Kielar and Mirosław Birecki conveyed their passion for good governance in the town and its surrounding region, particularly in the management and defense of the vital primary sector: agriculture. They also highlighted the importance of beekeeping and honey, a true badge of the city. Our students asked insightful questions about what motivated them to manage the local res publica and inquired about the impact of migration in the region—relevant and thought-provoking issues. After lunch, we delved into the different deities of Slavic mythology. A representative from each country explained the traits and behaviors of a mythological creature from their nation. To deepen our understanding of Slavic myths, the Polish students performed a theatrical play showing their myths’ influence on ...

The bus parking at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Complex is filled with groups from all over the world—visitors from Asia, North and South America, and, also, Europe. Because every civilized person —and even those in denial who still need to be civilized— should visit at least once in their lives to remember the deportation and murder of over a million Jews in the largest Nazi concentration camp of World War II. The site in the Polish city of Oświęcim is not a typical museum. It is a memorial, a stark reminder of the horrors that human beings are capable of. This was not a spontaneous act of cruelty. It was a calculated, meticulously planned effort to exterminate and erase from the face of the Earth Jews from Hungary, Poland, Romania, Italy, and beyond. On Tuesday, April 8 (International Romani Day), the group of students and teachers visited the largest concentration and extermination camp of Nazi Germany, where 21,000 Roma (Gypsies) were murdered.  It’s estimated that the SS an...

The mobility in Poland of the Erasmus+ K220 Project "The New Values of Democracy in Today's Europe" has officially begun. Over the weekend, different students and teachers from Romania, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, and Greece arrived gradually in the Opole Voivodeship, a Polish province near the Czech Republic border. We are hosted at Zespol Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego in Bogdańczowice. Despite the cold weather, the welcome has been warm. In the building dedicated to the teaching of tractor mechanics and other agricultural machinery, the school principal Miroslaw Krzysztalowicz greeted us with a few words of welcome. Each country presented how multiculturalism is visible in their schools and cities. Once again, we’ve seen how positive and enriching it is to live in such a diverse society as today’s Europe. Professor Anna Bronisz (horse teacher) taught us how to groom and dress a horse, while landscape teacher Alicja Węgrzynowska showed us how basil seeds react to w...

The Erasmus+ K220 Project, “The New Values of Democracy in Today’s Europe,” continues its inspiring journey in Madeira. Participants engage in meaningful discussions and activities that highlight critical democratic values and social challenges. Students have the unique opportunity to join their hosts in classes, fostering cultural exchange and collaboration. A key highlight of the day was the conference on migration led by Dr. Regina Cruz, representing the Regional Direction of Communities and External Cooperation (Regional Government of Madeira). This session has explored historical and modern migration challenges, shedding light on integration, societal impacts, and evolving issues such as refugee crises and labor migration. Students and teachers were actively engaged by preparing questions and promoting critical thinking and dialogue. A visit to Madeira’s Legislative Assembly, the House of Democracy, deepens understanding of regional governance. Students tour the Assembly and engag...

Wednesday in Madeira was an emotional day. Our host, Professor Marcos Leitão, delivered a heartfelt talk about the International Day of Democracy and the April 25th Revolution in Portugal. This revolution was a military coup carried out on April 25, 1974, against the dictatorship of Marcelo Caetano, who had been in power since 1925.   During the revolution, a flower seller, Celeste Caeiro, symbolically armed the soldiers with carnations instead of bullets. This poignant and colorful gesture went down in History (with a capital "H") as a symbol of peace and democratic freedom in Portugal.   The participants of the K220 Erasmus Project, The New Values of Democracy in Today's Europe—from Greece, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Spain, and our host country, Portugal—share a historic bond. Each of our nations experienced a recent past marked by dictatorial regimes that subjected their citizens to abuse and oppression. Although the paths we followed to achieve freedom and democra...

In Book III of The Republic , Plato highlights the importance of music as the gymnastics of the soul, suggesting that certain melodies promote harmony, order, and goodness. At the Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia School, music plays a key role in accelerating the integration of foreign students into their community. As part of the K220 Erasmus Project: The New Values of Democracy in Today's Europe , students from each participating country presented a song that is iconic or representative of their nation. Thus, Tuesday Morning became a vibrant musical festival, showcasing diverse musical styles. Because music is a powerful bridge for cultural integration, we enjoyed various performances—some in traditional attire, others more modern. Among the highlights was Francisco Escórcio Melim da Silva’s performance with the Portuguese guitar, an absolute delight for the ears. To deepen their understanding of Madeira's culture, students participated in a scavenger hunt exploring the local s...