|
|
|
|
|
One must keep in mind three facts:
1.The Regional Council of
Umbria has financed and promoted school trips to its offices since 1982
in order to encourage young people to learn about the functions and activities
of this institution.
2. In 1996 and 1997 ISUC
(Institute of Contemporary Umbrian hystory ) coordinated two refresher courses
promoted by the Regional Council of Umbria and the Boards of Education of Perugia
and Terni for teachers from the schools in this area.
3. In april 2002 the first European seminar of history,
promoted by the association NEOS (Network of Europe
Oriented Schools) and organized in Orvieto by the Liceo (Lyceum) "E. Majorana"
was held: during this seminar teachers from eight different European countries
examined the possibility of using similar methodologies and didactic modules
in their schools so as to form a common idea of Europe for the future generations.
The results were very encouraging: common modules and methodologies can be used.
As a result of the above experiences, the project 'An aware and responsible
citizen' came about..
The basic idea is to go beyond one’s territory and find a tie with the
European Union by means of education and a new idea of citizenship.
With this goal in mind an agreement was signed between the Regional Council
of Umbria, ISUC and the General Administration of schools in Umbria. The aim
of the project is to build a new Europe by starting with its younger members.
The Regional Councils and the schools can become active promoters of citizenship.
A citizenship founded not on land and on blood, but on cultural ties and shared
values; in short, “An aware and responsible citizen”.
.
A permanent network of Umbrian schools was set up, each with its own web site.
There are six pilot schools (about 4000 students and 300 teachers) which are
coordinated by ISUC and which work together. They try out modules and methods,
produce material, exchange experiences and progressively propose their work
to other schools in their respective areas. Both ISUC and the six pilot schools
are members of the association NEOS. The Regional Council also intends to become
a member of the association. Two work groups of teachers were also set up: one
group that studies the didactic aspects of the project and the other, the aspects
of communication through internet. It has also been decided to form a common
web site by using the server of the Regional Council.
The purpose of this network of Umbrian schools is to form an operational and
cultural base, so that they can communicate with schools of other European countries
(within the NEOS network) to discuss and compare notes on fundamental points
of the European union. We are convinced that through the experience of working
together, a new dimension of European citizenship will take root.
.
· The Scientific Lyceum 'Ettore Majorana'
in Orvieto
· The Professional Institute of Industry and
Crafts 'S.Pertini' in Terni
· The Institute of Classical Education 'F.
Frezzi' in Foligno
· The Technical Institute for Social Activities
'G. Bruno' in Perugia
· The Institute of Secondary Education
in Umbertide
· The comprehensive school 'D. Alighieri'
in Nocera Umbra
· Try out the module
that was elaborated in Orvieto on migration in order to discover the common
roots of the people of Europe.
· Create new
modules using the same methodology adopted in Orvieto And with the same
aims.
· Promote student participation in debates
on the new European Constitution
· Produce and exchange didactic material through the internet and videoconference
· Promote the exchange of ideas between Italian students and their European
counterparts in order to develop a direct awareness of the different cultures.
The Regional Council of Umbria gives the project the I.T. facilities which
allow each school which has joined the project to communicate with the schools
associated with NEOS. The model is totally new and different to any other initiative
undertaken by other regions in Italy.
