The Polish Voice in EUdemos 2024: A Summer School Reflection
The participation of a Polish school in the EUdemos Summer School 2024 marks a significant step in promoting European values through education. What unfolded during the event and what key insights were gained?
EUdemos is a project funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme. This initiative, aimed at integrating European topics into school curricula, brings together a series of interactive and pedagogical activities designed to engage students in meaningful discussions about Europe’s future.
The EUdemos summer school took place from the 2nd to the 7th of September in Carbonia, a city located on the southwestern coast of the Isle of Sardinia, approximately 60 km from Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari. Most of the program activities were held in the City Hall on Piazza Roma, the main city square, while other events occurred in nearby locations such as Masua, Porto Pino, and the Carbonia coal mine museum.
Forty students from five schools across Europe participated in the summer school. These schools included the CEU schools of Montepríncipe and Sanchinarro from Spain, Escola Secundária de Amarante from Portugal, Adam Mickiewicz High School No. IV in Warsaw, Poland, 11 Geniko Lykio Irakliou from Greece, and the Instituto Superiore da Vinci-Fascetti from Italy. Additionally, local youth from Carbonia were present at most activities. Accompanying the students were their teachers, along with project organizers and other invited guests, forming a diverse and collaborative supervisory team.
Our school, Adam Mickiewicz High School No. IV in Warsaw, founded in 1897 by Emilian Konopczyński, stands as one of the oldest high schools in Warsaw. The current school building, constructed in the 1960s, is situated in the Saska Kępa district on the right bank of the Vistula River. The school currently hosts approximately 800 students across 26 classes. It boasts a long and rich history, numerous collaborations with various universities and institutions, and a dedicated teaching staff.
During our stay in Carbonia, we participated in a wide range of activities. These included lectures on the history of the European Union, the purpose and functioning of its institutions, the challenges the Union faces, and what it means to be a European citizen. We collaborated in mixed teams for a scavenger hunt focused on the inner workings of EU institutions, as well as a simulation of the European Parliament. We discussed the current challenges facing our respective countries and proposed solutions to other teams.
We honed our public speaking skills through presentations on our cultures and our paths to European integration. At the end of the program, we participated in a quiz that summarized the topics discussed throughout the week. In addition to educational activities, we explored the Isle of Sardinia and its culture through visits to the coal mine, tours around Carbonia, beach days in Porto Pino and Masua, and a boat trip along the western coast of the island. On our day of departure, we had the opportunity to explore the city of Cagliari. Moreover, we contributed to setting up the EUdemos stand at a local fair held in Piazza Marmilla.
As the Polish team, we achieved success in several categories:
- Debate on the European Union
- Identifying EU member states’ flags on a blank map
- Best dance performance during the dance-off in the City Hall
- A short film on the challenges facing the Union
- Securing the top four places in the quiz on the EU’s history and institutions.
We also took the opportunity to integrate with other teams, enjoy fantastic local cuisine, engage in recreational activities, and appreciate the natural beauty of Sardinia. By immersing ourselves in the unique character of the island, we deepened our understanding of the history and inner workings of the European Union, including its benefits and challenges. We returned to Warsaw enriched not only in culture and knowledge but also in unforgettable memories.
By embracing this project, we joined a broader effort to systematically introduce European themes into various subjects, fostering a deeper understanding of unity, democracy, and shared responsibility among young learners. This collaboration highlights Poland’s commitment to shaping an informed and active European citizenry. As the Polish delegation, we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a remarkable and truly unforgettable experience.
[Edit by Eryk Leszczyński]
