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

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...

The K220 Erasmus Project: The New Values of Democracy in Today's Europe has landed in Madeira, home of the Portuguese partner school EB 2, 3 Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia. Landing at Funchal's challenging airport offers a breathtaking aerial view of the island’s natural beauty. The opening ceremony happened in the school’s auditorium, where each team introduced themselves and shared insights about their school and country. After touring the school, the integration among students continued with the delightful idea of sharing snacks from the different participating countries. Professor João Batista led a learning and awareness-raising activity on preserving the island's rich marine fauna. Students explored the diverse species inhabiting Madeira's waters using paintings, tablets, and augmented reality AR. Following the technological approach, we moved to a real-life experience with a catamaran excursion to observe dolphins and whales. We were lucky to spot dolphins up close...