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(The bilingual newsletter below was prepared by the Turkish group for newspapers and other schools.)
(E-) Newsletter
The Project approved by the Turkish National Agency and funded by the European Union is titled as “Historical Heritage As A Bridge To Intercultural Dialogue” and it is aimed at revealing and increasing awareness for historical and natural heritage through reciprocal visits; increasing awareness for the protection of historical heritage, comparing education systems of partner countries, disseminating good practices, establishing good contacts with European schools and finally contributing to intercultural dialogue.
Van Atatürk Anadolu Lisesi, the coordinating school of the Project has partner schools from Poland, Sweden, Slovakia, Spain and Italy. Our Project will be carried out during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years, and 18 staff mobilities and 8 student mobilities have been planned. The Project is matched with the school curriculum of English, History, Geography and Literature. Out of 8, 3 students visited Italy (16-20 Feb 2009), 3 attended the mobility to Spain (19-23 April 2009) and 2 students are planned to join the meeting in Sweden (7-11 Feb 2010).
The first meeting of the Project was held between 20-26 October 2008 in Poniatowa / Poland. We visited the partner school, attended the classes, watched a performance prepared by students, and delivered a presentation on Turkey and Van to the staff and students of the school. We travelled to some historical places, got to know cities, witnessed the culture and developed good friendships.
The 2nd meeting took place from 16th to 20th Feb 2009 in Terlizzi/Italy. Our principal, 3 teachers and 3 students attended this mobility. That was a very different and exciting experience for our students. Although it was cold and windy, they had lots of fun with their host families, and contributed to the promotion of our own country and culture.
The project group came together for the third time in Tarragona/Spain between 19-23 April 2009. Our school team for the meeting was composed of 7 people; 4 teachers and 3 students. The Roman Ruins, the Amphitheater, the Roman Circus and Sagrada Família located in Barcelona are some of the places we visited during our stay.
The 4th meeting was held in Türkiye. Our guests, 18 students and 16 teachers from 5 different European countries were in Istanbul on the 5th of October 2009. The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi), Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) are among the historical venues that we visited together. Between 6 and 9 October, our guests had visits to the Governor, Vatso, Van Castle, the Akdamar Church, Muradiye Waterfall, and Ishakpaşa Palace. All the guests saw many historical places in and around Van, students stayed with local families and experienced the culture personally.
A common project web site was designed by our school team to announce project activities, and publish news, articles and reports about the meetings. At www.eudialogue.net, information about the logo, poster and essay competitions, products like photos and articles about the meetings and the partner countries; presentations, newspaper and magazine excerpts, and Comenius Corners take place and they can be accessed any moment. By the end of the project, a bilingual tourist guidebook and a documentary about the historical heritage of all partners will be prepared.
Thanks to the project, interpersonal and intercultural dialogue increased, students gained self esteem to express themselves, prejudices and biases were demolished and friendship was built instead. It is seen that problems can be solved easily with cooperation and mutual understanding, which obviously improves communication and dialogue. (18 Nov. 2009)
The Turkish version of this newsletter is published here with photos: http://ab-ilan.com/index.php/bilgi/122-manset/1916-commenius-kulturlerarasi-diyalog-projesi
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