The city we live in - the city we want to live in in 2020

The objective of the project is to compare and contrast the cities we live in and how we want our cities to be in 2020. The students have examined the effort the citizens of a city make in order to improve it and what activities and facilities are offered to advance their life. They have visualized what kind of life they want their cities to offer them in 2020 and realized that they must play an active part in it.The project concentrates on central aspects for the age group of participating students (12-14 years old), such as freetime activities offered by each school and the city students live in. Those can broaden students`horizons, increase their knowledge and enhance educational and social skills . Consequently this will have an effect on willingness to gain qualifications, their future employability and their current attitudes on life, this is a key aspect of Europe 2020.Taking into account the main focus on improving learning, creating a youth in movement that is educated, has achieved qualifications and is part of life long learning, the life of our target group of students certainly includes learning support, whether at school, or offered outside. In cooperation with other schools they realize and learn about the different and common elements in our lives in a European community. Thus, recognition of a common European background, will lead to a decrease of prejudices in their minds and make them realize the benefits of a common future.Our profile of participants is very extensive consisting of 5 different partners: A school in rural France (300 students), a Greek gymnasium (270 students), a small comprehensive school in Austria with 95 % of students with a non-German speaking background (200 students), a secondary school in Germany (700 students) and a large Spanish school with many international students (French and German) (900 students). This diversity is beneficial to implementation of the project, as the many different European partners have enhanced the progress and targeted outcomes. Our activities and planned results are very comprehensive, starting with all students completing an English questionnaire about the city they live in and creating Erasmus corners at schools. They prepared a DVD with important aspects of their hometown and PowerPoint of their educational system for each other to understand, compare and contrast. We used a twinspace for uploading material and reports of the proceedings ; there was preparation before each trip by learning simple phrases of the host`s language ; a competition across schools for the best logo to represent the whole project ; Logo T-shirts worn during international meetings to enhance a feeling of unity and common goals. Students learning, teaching and training activites at partner schools always included the making of a film about their visits and findings as well as the creation of a long-term diary blog, as well as students personal ones to express feelings and experiences.Students wrote articles, created poems, contacted the media and talked to local politicians, expressing wishes for more chances for young people in their city. Highlight was the creation of virtual models of the future city in 2020 and exhibiting those, focusing on free-time and learning activities.Dissemination has been a major focus throughout the project, we have share our activites and results via various channels and media, from school website to local media and upload to the European Shared Treasure site. The principle in all methodology applied has been equal participation of all partners, respecting each others culture and values. The project has improved cooperation skills. Direct contacts of staff and students from different countries facilitates language communication in English, thus enhancing teamwork and interpersonal skills and creativity. Informal learning (e.g. workshops ) is known to foster learning and transfer gained knowledge by means of entertainment and hands-on experiences and activities, it can offer a serious complement to the usual classroom based programmes. Participation in the project encourages participants to learn foreign languages and increase their awareness of linguistic diversity in different European countries, reinforce the contribution of learning on active citizenship, intercultural dialogue and personal fulfilment.The project`s long-term benefits are a better understanding of diverse and common life experiences in the European Union for both, students and teachers. It will open new horizons for the students to enable them to work and live in a Europe without frontiers. We want to establish long-term contacts and mutual help between the participating schools. The objective is to develop and and disseminate the strategic aspect of the project : improving awareness of today`s children about their actions for a better future, in terms of education, job- dreaming and finding, appreciating unity in diversity.