a collaborative outcome of our eTwinning project

Renewing European Values for Social Inclusion and Democratic Citizenship

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Freedom - My Favourite Value of the European Union The dictionary defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants, without being controlled or limited, but, in reality, even if the freedom of thought is something we can practise every day, our freedom of expression or speech and that of action are still limited for a lot of people, and much more controlled than they should be.&nbsp; Herbert Hoover said that “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity” and Moshe Dayan&nbsp;said ”Freedom is the oxygen of the soul”. I admit that I strongly agree with both of them because there can be no human dignity, no self-development or spiritual growth without our freedom to be ourselves. Freedom. Why is freedom so important to me? Because I feel so grateful for being permitted to speak and do what I want, because the freedom-based society I was born in allows me to be myself and educates me that I have obligations, but that I have human rights, too. Just like me and my friends, in Europe, children have a lot of freedom. We enjoy a lot of liberty: we can go to school, we can play, we can have friends and we can decide what to do in the future. Parents and teachers treat us with respect and they listen to us. And we should all appreciate this. From my point of view, Peter Marshall’s statement “Freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right” is the best definition of freedom. YES, every right comes with a responsibility, because freedom was not free. People made great sacrifices and even died so that we can live and enjoy the free lives that we have. To conclude with, freedom means not only that we can express our opinions and share our ideas, but that we can choose to do what makes us happy. So, let us not take freedom for granted. Let us protect this value by speaking and acting in a respectful and responsible way and by allowing others to enjoy their own freedom, without fear, without any risks and without discrimination or prejudice. (Alexia Croitoru, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

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The Finalists of the International Speech Contest for Students (2021)

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The EU Value of Equality Ever since I was a child, I have felt the need to be able to participate in activities just like everyone else. I wanted to be included and to feel like I have all the rights to feel good and enjoy everything I wanted to do. It was an inexplicable need and yet so normal and natural that I never wondered what the name of the thing I desperately needed was.&nbsp;The answer?&nbsp;The European value of equality. I was yet to learn that equality comes in multiple shapes and forms, and that some people had and still have to this day to fight for it. The topic got my attention and by doing some research I found out what the definition of equality is all about. In short, equality is about making sure everyone has a chance to take part in society on an equal basis and be treated appropriately, no matter what their gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, language, social origin, religious beliefs, marital status and other personal attributes are. I came to the conclusion that we should all be able to do things we enjoy, while having choices and being respected no matter who we are, where we come from, who we love and what we believe in. One thing that we should keep in mind though is that equality does not mean everybody should be treated the same. People have all sorts of needs, situations and goals, and we should be keeping them in mind, because some of us need a little more help than others to feel equal. Every day for seventeen years I have found out multiple ways to make people feel validated and to assure them they’re our equals. For example, I have met a lot of disabled people, most of them having locomotor disability. It is very important for every institution to have a wheelchair ramp for disabled people to have access to them just like everyone does. This assures them that they are welcome and gives them a little more strength for the day. This way, everybody can have guaranteed access and makes everybody have equal chances to enter.

Human Dignity - An Essential European Value One of the most celebrated human rights, human dignity means that every person holds special value and deserves to be respected only as a result of their humanity, not because of their circumstances, talents, abilities, status or other merits. Dignity is not something that can be earned, it is something that we are all born with, just like all the other human rights. Unfortunately, human dignity is universal only in theory. I know that some of you will find it hard to believe, but there are societies which still refuse to treat all their members with the dignity and respect they deserve. There are countries where human dignity simply doesn’t exist for some citizens even if this is the 21st century. Geena Rocero said that ”Human dignity should be without borders”, while Angela Merkel said that ”When it comes to human dignity, we cannot make compromises”. To my mind, they are both right. Human dignity must be respected everywhere and this should be done without exception or concession. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said that ”Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.” My question is: How can today’s generation make sure that human dignity will continue to be respected in the future? One obvious answer is by educating the children and young people to have self-respect, self-esteem, to have self-confidence and to treat others with the same respect and consideration. Another solution would be to prevent or stop everything that affects or destroys human dignity from happening in the future. Let us live in a world without humiliation, degradation, abuse, torture, violence and wars. Let the children of tomorrow enjoy their human rights and human dignity in a society free from injustice, cruely, suffering and dehumanization.&nbsp; (Maia Catargiu, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

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Why cultivate the seeds of solidarity in the EU and in the entire world Solidarity means ”support by one person or group of people for another because they share feelings, opinions, aims” and it can be expressed in many ways. The truth is that we cannot speak about solidarity without thinking about the trinity of liberty, equality and solidarity and also about the strength that comes from unity. In the European Union, each member state is stronger than on its own just like ”the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, a phrase first coined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. So, why should we cultivate this European value? First of all, because each of us should have the support of others in times of need, every member of the global community should rely on their family for the help, support and understanding that will make them feel safe and confident and their lives better and happier. Secondly, all of us have the responsibility to stick together, for better and for worse, to defend the ones who need our protection and be there for all our friends in the name of unity, team spirit and shared hopes and dreams. Last, but not least, being solidary means serving a nobler purpose instead of living a selfish life. Standing united, in solidarity with others, gives more meaning to our actions and adds significance and relevance to our legacy. Solidarity is a matter of choice. If Ariel Sharon’s words, ”A people cannot exist if there is no social solidarity”, are true, then the European Union cannot exist without solidarity. Finally, let me ask you this question: Are we going to be united or are we going to be divided? Let’s hope that we will continue to be united, let’s bring our forces together for the sake of the common good, let’s remember that European solidarity can be the answer to all our hopes and prayers and that the future will be brighter as long as we are building it together. (Adriana Floroiu, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Democracy, the most important value of the European Union One of the fundamental principles of the European Union, democracy guarantees equality between all the European citizens, representation and participation of the citizens in the decision-making process and includes freedom of assembly, association and speech, inclusiveness, membership, consent, voting, right to life and minority rights. Democracy gives us a number of freedoms and liberties known as human rights, but living in a democratic society means that for every right there is a corresponding responsibility and they cannot be separated from one another. For example, I have the right to be safe, but at the same time the responsibility to respect the other people’s right to safety and under no circumstances must I put their health or their lives in danger. Even if democracy is generally understood as ”rule of the people” and ”rule of the majority ”, I agree with Albert Camus, who said that ”Democracy is not the law of the majority, but protection of the minority.” That means that people belonging to minorities have the same human rights as the people belonging to the majority and all of them must be protected. To conclude with, living in a democracy gives us a lot of opportunities, the chance to bring our contribution to society and live our lives with respect for diversity, tolerance and solidarity. (Sara Maria Tutunea, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

Promoting the cultural heritage  of Europe

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“Renewing European Values for Social Inclusion and Democratic Citizenship under the Auspices of eTwinning and Erasmus+ Programmes” (2020-2022)

Motto: eTwinning and Erasmus+ have given us&nbsp;a chance To learn about the blessings of our continent: Democracy, social inclusion and solidarity, These are our&nbsp;values for the future we will build.&nbsp; We know we have both rights and responsibilities, And taking care of everyone is our moral duty; Living together in peace and protecting&nbsp;human rights Will turn our European dreams into much better lives. Emilia Frînculeasă, project founder, ROMANIA

Coordinating teachers Adelaida Iorga Asiye Bozkuş Birol Evren Daniel Sorin Neacșu Emel Eyerci Emel Yılmaz Çelik Emilia Frinculeasa Emilia Wolska Eugen Dutu Mihaela Neacșu Raluca Diaconu Yasemin Pelitli

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Promoting the cultural heritage of Europe

Equality - My Favourite Value of the European Union The dictionary defines equality as the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. And you may also be familiar with the statement “We are all born equal”. But let us stop for a moment and ask ourselves this question: is equality real or is it just an ideal? Sadly, we need to accept reality and the fact that there are still many people in Europe and in the world who are victims of inequality and lack of opportunity, people whose human rights are not respected. There are still many people whose personal circumstances turn them into victims of exclusion, marginalisation, discrimination and so on. These people need protection. They need to be included, helped and supported by the members of their community who are more fortunate. I also happen to have a dream. An equal Europe. A continent of equality where everyone, no matter how different, regardless of problems and choices, is at home and feels like belonging to a real family. Can you imagine this big, happy family of humanistic values, based on the equal recognition of human rights? If you can, then you can also understand why inequality and discrimination are so wrong. Some people say that equal treatment is not always the best solution. Indeed, we cannot ignore the fact that there are members of our communities who need special attention and fair treatment. This is where equity comes into action. While equality is about giving an individual or a group of people the same amount of resources or opportunities, equity is the principle which recognizes that each person has different circumstances and makes sure the fair amount of needed resources and opportunities are available for them to reach a positive, equal outcome. Frances Wright said “Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.” But Rick Riordan stated that “Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.” I believe the future of the European Union should be about fairness and social justice and about protecting and supporting those who need protection and support. The future should not simply be about treating everyone the same way, but about addressing the individual needs and circumstances of every society member so that they can reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves. Tell me you also share my vision and my hopes for a better, fairer society ruled by equity and solidarity! (Bogdan Mircică, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

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Equality and Human Dignity I'd like you to ask yourself this: "What would I do If I governed the whole world for just one day?""Would I really take care of the financial stability of forgotten countries?""Would I really sign papers all day long?""Would I really take advantage of the wealth and fame?"... I'd like to know your honest answers because I firmly believe that you wouldn’t. None of us has the malice of disregarding hurt, debasement, inequality only caused by the level of involvement we don’t have when it comes to international relations. As part of my youth, I had the luck to be raised in the comfort of a loving family with good sources of income, but I am sure that’s not the reality for all the children on Earth. Let’s imagine Jane Doe and John Doe. Jane had the opportunity to grow up in a wealthy place, while John always struggled with tomorrow. Jane has always been admired for her beauty, while John was hurt by the complexion of his skin. Jane is a 14 year old European, while John is a 13 year old South African. Jane is suffering from a hurtful incurable body disease that has affected her physically and mentally since she was a child, while John is in perfect health. Do you think they had the same opportunities? Let me present you their stories: Jane’s parents bought her everything she wanted, but they couldn’t buy her health. John’s parents couldn’t give him a new appearance so he could fit in. Both families faced the powerlessness of finding equality in their children’s lives and they are not alone, billions of others experience the same sorrow. But what if we took action? Our generation must change the way we are looked at. We must visualize the fact that poverty and wealth, black and white, female and male are the same in life’s eyes. We are free to love ourselves the way we are, we are free to be confident and worthy to be appreciated and respected regardless of how we may seem. We are free to have a belief, a road to follow and a dream to fulfill. This takes us to my second bullet point: the value of human dignity. This implies the credence that all people hold a special value that’s tied solely to their humanity. You may ask "Why is human dignity so important?" And my answer is that it justifies people's rights. When we are divided and given a value built on religion, class, race, gender and so on, there is created a field free to discrimination. Everyone has something to give despite of who he or she is. If we take our time and meet people, we will jump to the conclusion that none of the factors I listed earlier influences the power and the gifts human soul holds. Love, truth, right action, peace, non-violence are the five human values we are bound to follow. Where is love, there is peace, where is peace, there isn’t violence and where is truth, there is right action. We often question ourselves “What am I supposed to do by myself? What can I change?” It starts with us, only with us. The change is already there. The spark that triggers that change is the hurt we see around us. The pain, the tears, the wasted sleepless nights of the victims and the misfortune of missing the train to the life they deserved. Therefore, the only chance to living and finding a better “us” is regarding any human with the same eyes and understanding that their capability is not established by their looks, provenience, gender or class. Lastly, I want you to ask yourself how it would be if we found a reflection of our appearance in every other person. That will be the moment when all of us realize the importance of diversity and the beauty of it. (Cezara Diaconu, 9th grader, LTRVP, Romania)

Promoting the cultural heritage of Europe

A 5-paragraph essay on the topic of democracy Is Democracy the Best Form of Government? &nbsp; In today’s civilised world, a democracy, as a modern form of government, is often scrutinised through the lens of contemporary alternatives such as autocracies, theocracies, monarchies and though highly praised or bitterly criticised, this imperfect political system still continues to prevail, providing free election systems, human rights protection for all, active participation in civics and politics and equal application of the law. But is democracy really the best form of government of all? To begin with, democracy is defined as a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Secondly, being based on public consultation, discussion and debate, democratic decisions are better, fairer and more transparent due to the separate institutions of power (executive, legislative, judicial). What is more, democracy protects the rights and liberties of the citizens, providing equal opportunities for all citizens and allowing each individual voice to be heard. However, there are voices claiming that democracy is too expensive (especially the elections procedures) and that human rights and freedoms, when misunderstood or misused, lead to serious safety and security problems. There are also people complaining about the fact that too many tend to forget that for every human right there is a corresponding duty and, therefore, completely neglect their responsibilities. Moreover, democratic decisions almost always imply the existence of an ignored, ridiculed, even abused minority. As far as I am concerned, democracy is a better form of government than authoritarian regimes or even monarchy because it allows its citizens the right to exercise their liberties and freedoms, including the right to vote and the right to stand as a candidate at any elections. To conclude with, democracy may not be perfect, but it should be considered the best form of government because it is the only government, as Abraham Lincoln so beautifully expressed it, "of the people, by the people and for the people".

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Moving on to more recent times, democracy continued to be the everlasting dream of all.&nbsp;I am a young democratic citizen, meaning that by the time I was born, my nation was already a democratic one. I haven’t lived in the harder times, when democracy wasn’t instated, but I know people who did. My parents and my grandparents would always tell me about the way life used to be. So, even though this isn’t my story to tell, it deserves to be heard. Back in the day, my country, like other European countries, was a communist one. That implies limited liberty, deprivation of certain rights, extreme shortages of basic necessities that drastically lowered living standards, and so on. Life was hard. The people wanted democracy, it was their essential goal. So, they fought for it. After the Revolution in 1989, communism was taken down and replaced with democracy. The story had a happy ending. When I hear about the way life used to be, it’s so hard for me to believe how different it was, and how much it has changed. But, the important thing is that it changed for the better, thanks to democracy. I would like to go back to the question that started it all and whose answer I have been trying to explain until now. What does democracy mean to the people? Democracy means a chance to be equal before the law, to be free, to have human rights that are respected and valued. One of the most important aspects regarding it is having the right to vote and to participate in decision making at the level of society. Democracy is everything the people have ever dreamed of, because it’s the only way they get to live a life they can enjoy, that they can be in control of. I am one of the people in question. So, what does democracy mean to me, a 15-year-old teenager, a young democratic citizen? I am not old enough to vote, but that’s not what democracy is all about. To me, democracy means hope, hope for a better world, hope for a life in which equality, justice, fairness, and freedom triumph.&nbsp;Democracy is my past, my present and my future. My whole life has been characterized by its existence, so me being who I am today would not have been possible without democracy. Finally, it represents the only chance I’ve got to make my voice heard. If you don’t believe me, please ask yourself why you’re hearing me right now.&nbsp; (Rebeca Breazu, 9th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

Tolerance - My Favourite Value of the European Union Tolerance is defined as ”the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with”. However, tolerance is not only an ability. It is both a right and a responsibility in a democratic society. It is based on mutual respect and understanding of differences and about acceptance of diversity. Tolerant people don’t value others based on their race, gender, religion, culture, social status or level of education. Robert Green Ingersoll said that ”Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself” and I believe what Helen Keller said, that ”The highest result of education is tolerance”, is even better and closer to the truth. Acceptance and celebration of diversity are the best lessons that humanity can teach us. Tolerance is the pillar of democracy, the foundation of the best type of relationships and, if we want peace and non-violence in the world, we should cultivate it in our homes, at school, in our communities. A democratic culture promotes tolerance and encourages its members to practise it. In the European Union, children are inspired and motivated to be tolerant with the help of international partnerships, especially through eTwinning and Erasmus+ projects. My generation can teach the rest of the world about the benefits of tolerance and, maybe, one day, there will be no hatred, no discrimination, no injustice. In the end, I would like to share one more quotation with you: "The test of courage comes when we are in a minority; the test of tolerance comes when we are in a majority." It was stated by Ralph W. Sockman and it illustrates my own perception and beliefs on this topic. There is so much beauty in the world, so much diversity, and all we have to do is show our respect and our understanding. It is not that difficult, believe me! We should all try it! (Rebeca Albu, 5th grade student, LTRVP, Romania)

Democracy The fundamental European values are: human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights. All of them are equally important and necessary for the European politics, economics, and they contribute to creating a society “in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail”. One of the fundamental European Union values without which life as we know it presently as European citizens would only be a dream far from reality is democracy. What is democracy? The word democracy comes from the Greek words "demos", meaning people, and "kratos" meaning power, so democracy can be thought of as "power of the people”. It is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation or to choose governing officials to do so. Abraham Lincoln described democracy as “ the government of the people, by the people, for the people”.&nbsp;Obviously, that was the theoretical answer to the question asked. We all know what democracy stands for theoretically. But, the question “What is democracy?” can receive another answer, because by asking this I’m actually asking “what does democracy mean to the people?’.&nbsp;&nbsp; There is no simpler way to put it: Democracy has always been, and still is everyone’s dream all along, beginning to end, and forever. It might sound complicated, or maybe even impossible, but I assure you it isn’t, and I’m here to explain why. Let’s think about it. What is humanity’s everlasting wish? Well, the people have always wanted to be free, to be equal, to be treated fairly, to be able to control their own lives and influence the decisions that affect society. All of these desires added together evidently equal democracy.&nbsp;So, from the beginning of times, people have wished for democracy, and their wish has lived on for centuries. Now, let’s start from the very beginning of humanity, when your social status decided your fate. People that weren’t part of high-class families had no choice but to be slaves to whom freedom was a goal they could never reach. Unfairness and inequality were the main characteristics of life back then. Later on, slavery continued to exist, the new victims being people of different races, cultures or religions. Unfortunately, discrimination described that period of time perfectly. Having said all these, we can draw a conclusion: in the past, due to the inequality they faced, people dreamed to be free and they dreamed of democracy, even unknowingly.&nbsp;

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Equality, a European value that I strongly believe in and wholeheartedly support We have all heard of equality at least once, be it equality in education, equality of opportunity or gender equality. But have we asked ourselves the question "What does equality entail?"? Have we put ourselves in a position to take a stand and support this global phenomenon? Let's see together why equality is one of the most important human principles in existence, which defines understanding, acceptance and good interpersonal coexistence. Equality presupposes that every individual has the chance to make the most of his/her life and talents, without restricting his/her rights and without disregarding his/her qualities and abilities because of his/her place of birth, past, religious inclination or the fact whether or not he/she has a disability. The term equality can be characterized by several values such as: cooperation, understanding, acceptance, empathy, freedom and will always promote the fundamental right of citizens of the European Union. Equality in education asserts that every student should have the same access to a high quality education level. It also requires that all students be held to the same standards and objectives regardless of their abilities, or experiences. Equality focuses on what is fair within the group. Equality can also be associated with combating discrimination. As we all know, these days, global discrimination has taken on alarming proportions despite the efforts of those who wanted to lay the foundations for a better world, a world in which we are all equal. So, being equal means to put aside prejudices and stereotypes, to accept others as being on the same level as you are or at least to tolerate them. I have previously mentioned gender equality and although it is an extremely controversial topic, I consider it to be one of the most important aspects of the world we live in. From ancient times, men have ruled by their strenght, but with the evolution of the world, women have shown that they have leadership skills due to their intelligence. Thus, based on many such examples, we can rightly say that there is gender equality and that we must promote it for a fairer and better world. In conclusion, equality is one of the most important European values and must be protected and promoted by all of us around the world. (Darius Petre, 9th grader, LTRVP, Romania)

Founding schools: - Etimesgut Şehit Kaymakam Muhammed Fatih Safitürk Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi, Turkey; - Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu", Pătârlagele, Buzău, Romania; Partner schools: - Pijarskie Liceum Ogólnokształcące Królowej Pokoju w Łowiczu, Łowicz, Poland; - Scoala Gimnaziala "George Emil Palade", Buzău, Romania; - Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi, Keçiören, Turkey; - IISS "G. La Pira", Pozzallo (Rg), Italy; - Gürlek-Nakipoğlu Anadolu Lisesi, Bakırköy, Turkey; - Cevat Ülger Uluslararası Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi, Tepebaşı, Turkey; - Liceul Teoretic "Nicolae Iorga", Nehoiu, Romania; - Liceo Statale "G. Galilei" di Voghera, Voghera (Pv), Italy; - Muzička škola Stevan Hristić, Крушевац / Kruševac, Serbia; - Sümer Fen Lisesi, Kocasinan, Turkey; - Akdeniz Mersin Deniz Ticaret Odası Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi, Akdeniz, Turkey.

The main aim of the international project is about promoting common values, social inclusion and equity, civic engagement and responsible citizenship in 21st century schools around Europe, while reinforcing the development of key competences and enhancing the role of educators through eTwinning and Erasmus+ project-based learning, teaching and training activities. The project re-assesses the role of formal education and re-considers the importance of non-formal learning and training opportunities. Flipped teaching, blended learning, learner-centered activities, civic and cultural lessons can generate reversed roles between the teachers and the students, as well as more assertive, persuasive and emphatic participants, able to articulate their opinions and needs, better advocates not only for themselves, but also for others, more tolerant future European citizens willing to listen to reasonable arguments and able to accept different points of view.

In terms of age, gender, race, sexual orientation and social origins, I find it very heartbreaking that many people tend to discriminate others for things that are not something to change or to avoid. I believe that no matter what, these aspects of somebody’s personal life should not influence how other people or the law will treat them. Hating someone for simply being human is illogical, but many people don’t agree, which is sad for us, for all of us, in the 21st century. By being loud and fighting these absurd mindsets, we are&nbsp;giving these people the rights they deserve, assuring them that, no matter what their dreams are, no matter how small the others are trying to make them feel, they have all the rights to be who they are and stand up for themselves. Because being human is more than gender, skin color or liking the same gender, and I strongly believe in this! Religious beliefs are also a major issue between people. What many don’t understand&nbsp;is that religions are beautiful. Each of them has ups and downs, but if you focus on the good side you will see their essence. Some people have always tried to limit people’s beliefs, which I find upsetting and wrong. If I can go and pray every day without feeling pressured, why can’t a Muslim girl wear her hijab everywhere in the world? And here comes the part where people have to fight for equality. I wish people would&nbsp;understand once and for all that they are free to believe in whatever they want, but others have to have the same right too, otherwise, where is equality? I wish that the religious “wars” going on worldwide would stop, and I hope we will all get along some day. You see, there are lots of things that still need to be fixed in order to make everyone equal, but what I also hope is that we will be eager to accept others more, and open our eyes for the truth. So, in the end, there is just one more question left. What makes us equal? And the answer is: being human. We are humans. This is all we need to be equal. (Cătălina Barbu, 11th grader, LTRVP, Romania)

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