Programme & action: ERASMUS+, Key Action 1: Training course
Venue: Velden am Wörthersee, Austria
Dates: 10-17 December 2018
Participants: Jakub Cieślar, Jan Menšík
Please read the info-pack
Participants’ fee: €30
Hosting organisation: Germeshausen un Mak
Participating countries: Austria, Bulgaaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Slovenia
Project report:
Imagine spending absolutely amazing 7 days with motivating people from 12 countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain!). Yes, that was our training course Mission reACT which took place from 10th to 17th December 2018 in wonderful city located next to the 3rd biggest lake in Austria – Velden am Wörthersee. It was a pleasure for me to represent our lovely country with my friend Honza Menšík.
Project´s topic was approaching the idea of citizenship in three different levels: locally, nationally and in the European context. Getting to know each other, our life stories or remembering 30 new names started to make us connected since the 1st day . We continued with intensive but very active discovering historical and recent understanding of citizenship and its implications for participations. After workshops, discussions, role plays, presentations we understood what our possibilities in local field of participation are. We discovered how to be an active listener or how to influent our local community situation. Later we moved to national and European level. Deeper understanding of concepts such as European Union or Council of Europe was very educating. Personally, I really enjoyed an activity, where we got divided into four groups. Each group represented historical period of time – The Ancient Greece, Middle Ages, Enlightenment and Liberal Democracy. Every group had to prepare a short theatre reflecting human rights, tolerance, visions of citizenship and community. Finishing with evaluation of what we learnt, this project made our understanding of citizenship clear.
Sounds interesting, right? But there is much more! Trying new words in other languages, preparing breakfast for your friends, swimming together while listening to music, sharing our national traditions… The way others loved Czech food, drinks and our anthem (yes, we sang it!) was heart touching. Long late night talks about local or global situation, politics, economics, entertainment, cousine, languages, jobs, life experiences with people from all around the Europe was totally enrinching. I´m so happy that I met new, amazing and open-minded friends in this project.
Thanks to European Union, we could enjoy intensive, but non-formal education leaded by professionals – Marco and Annie. Their approach and enthusiasm for learning, connecting and showing us opportunities was outstanding.
What´s the best thing about ERASMUS + projects like this one? Almost everyone can apply and everything is funded by European Union!
This project really changed me, but it can also change you. What are you waiting for?
Jakub Cieślar
