Why care about water?

Preparation for the debate in Aix-en-Provence:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/freshwater/

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-conservation-tips/

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-footprint-calculator/

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/freshwater-quizzes/

Educational visit / move within the program Comenius,    the "Agrupamento de Escolas Anselmo de Andrade - Escola Secundaria com 2o e 3o ciclos Anselmo de Andrade» (Almada - Lisbon - Portugal)

Length of Visit: 6 days from 07/11/11 - 13 / 11/11

General Programme title: «The future in our hands»

The program of the visit

The theme of the educational visit / travel: «The future in our hands»

Participants: 12 students guests from Poland (5), Greece (4), France (1), Turkey (2) and 10 teachers from 4 countries.

Specifically attended the following schools:

1. Zespol Szkol im. Narodow Zjednoczonej Europy w Polkowicach (Poland)

2. Agrupamento de Escolas Anselmo de Andrade - Escola Secundaria com 2o e 3o ciclos (Portugal)

3. College et Lycee du Sacre Coeur (Aix en Provanse - France)

4. Gaziantep Anadolu Lisesi (Turkey)

5.3rd Lyceum of Patras (Greece)

Language contact / work: English.

Central project coordinator: EWA KOWALIK, the school of Polish

Participants Greek teachers from  3 rdthe Lyceum of Patras:

Kritikos Stamos IP 02 (project coordinator),

Tectonidou Domna IP 19 (member of the teaching team for the Comenius 3rd  Lyceum of Patras).

Zacharopoulou Georgia  IP6 (member of the pedagogical team for the third Comenius Lyceum of Patras).

There were also the students of the second class of high school:

Theodorou  Georgia, Karavola Angelliki, Lata  Ariadni, Kothri Sotiria

 Objectives: the  promotion of the idea of a common European route and  the claims of a hopeful future, as an act of resistance at the time deadlocks. Young people have the opportunity to meet and get to know people from other European countries, to find out that the others are not so different from them so as to ultimately promote a greater tolerance for diversity, respect and appreciation for other peoples and cultures. This will enable students to broaden their mind and their perceptions because of their contact with other cultures and foster their ability to communicate. Finally, what is achieved is the connection of the school / training process with the European society.

Means - Activities:all students who participated in the program were hosted by families of Portuguese students in order to gain different experiences of their lifestyle and culture (intercultural contact - cultivating relationships)

●             Visits to archaeological sites, monuments and museums to contact the cultural history of Portugal (Lisbon, King Jesus (Christo Rei) Castle of Saint George, BELEM, SINDRA, etc.)

Summary activity.

The first meeting in Portugal was about : the "Presentation of each country and each school" and offered through power-points a picture of the position of each country in the European Charter of geography and history, to then inform the students of other states about the  political and especially the educational system. Last step in the attempted first acquaintance among students of different countries was the thorough presentation of their own school with its own peculiarities, activities, interests in a variety of programs, distinctions and awards.

Short account of actions

MONDAY November 7, 2011 : Reception at the airport of Lisbon by the program coordinator and a representative of the school in Portugal, Agrupamento de Escolas Anselmo De Andrade, Elia Martins, who led us directly to the school where we met and got to know with delegations of other schools in the partnership. 

      We were welcomed by the Head of School Maria Margarita Geada Coutinho de Lucena who wished us a pleasant stay and success in the program objectives. Subsequently we toured the area surrounding the school, developed in about 10 acres. Actual recreation area for teachers and learners.Lunch followed at the school restaurant, where in an absolute order ,students, paying electronically,ate their lunch meal. After lunch back to classes for shaping public website. 

  

 TUESDAY November 8, 2011: A busy day on the school premises, where we attended music lessons, gymnastics, dance, painting. After 4 o’clock we were free to visit Lisbon, the city of Fernando Pessoa, Jose Saramago, the Camões and others. 

WEDNESDAY November 9, 2011: We attended a geology class and the course was followed by a meeting of the School of delegations concerning an approach of the program as well as a  presentation of countries, cities and schools of  origin. After lunch we boarded a bus and visited the coast CAPARICA, which operates the aquarium and a project-center. There we were given the opportunity to observe the geological changes in the region. Soon we left the coast and enjoyed the sound of the ocean. Subsequently, after a brief break at the hotel, we watched the THeatro Municipal de Almada a music-dance performance by pupils of the school at Theatro Municipal de Almada. The work excited us all and the symbolism of the scenes  led us to paths of emotion.  

THURSDAY November 10, 2011: The day began with a discussion on the progress of the program. Then a debate was held on issues concerning "the future of euro" and "oil or alternative energy." A video, which was prepared by our school,  functioned as the basis and source of topics for the debate that followed. After lunch, followed  a traditional class  for students and teachers of all schools and presentation of Alqueva, the large dam in Portugal and the climatic changes that occurred because of  the construction.

       Farewell ceremony was followed by an exchange of gifts in a climate of emotion.

 

FRIDAY 11 November 2011: Departure from school at 7:30 to visit Alqueva. One route where we had the opportunity to discover the countryside of Portugal and forests of cork trees. After lunch in Alentejo, we visited the middle-aged city of Evora, which has been designated by UNESKO as a protected archaeological site.

        In the evening followed a dinner at the theater auditorium in the city, in conjunction with the celebration of forty years of the school, which was attended by many teachers.

SATURDAY November 12, 2011: Visit to the historic center of Lisbon and monuments, with the pleasant accompaniment of Portugal fellow teachers and students as well as the parents of students who hosted our students .

SUNDAY 

13 November 2011: Visit to the famous summer palace of the kings of Portugal, in SINDRA. . Last Farewell of Portuguese students at the school, parents and teachers at the airport. Departure for Greece.

   

 EPILOGUE: Through this multiethnic meeting, we feel that we promote mutual understanding, exchange of ideas and views, communication between members of different educational communities. By the way,  naturally and effortlessly, a  happy "metekenosis"is achieved, a metekenosis of  mentalities, attitudes, knowledge, which is necessary to open up horizons in education, through Interdisciplinary and interculturality, to bear the coveted air of renewal in educational methods and practices.

STAMOS, DOMNA, GEORGIA

 

Portuguese Comenius Team

My name is Miguel Simão I am from Portugal.

I have 15 years old.

I have brown eyes and black curly hair. I´m from Almada and i am from Anselmo de andrade school. I am in 10th grade on science and technology studies.

I like to play guitar hero (expert) and other games, and i like to go to the cinema, to talk with friends and so on.... Listen music and watch tv .

I like this project because we can meet other diferent people.

I´m waiting to my opportunity to go to Poland.

Debate in Aix-En-Provence

A la claire fontaine m’en allant me promener j’ai trouvé l’eau si belle que je m’y suis baigné...

THE FUTURE OF THE WATER IS IN DANGER?

As we are on the verge of a disaster announced, initiatives abound. Is it only the survival instinct that drives us?

Erik Orsenna has another answer to offer us.... “If you did not like this crazy planet, what's the point of fighting for it?"Water inspires artists’ know-how: painters, potters, sculptors, basket makers and musicians. Strong but fragile, we must respect itDrinking pure water is not obvious any more... Asia, Africa, Australia and some American states are more and more affected by the drinking water shortage. By 2020, half of humanity will have no access to clean drinking water. Under the combined effects of desertification, pollution and population explosion, this vital resource becomes a scarce commodity. Significantly, since 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognizes the right to drinking water and sanitation of water resources as a human right.After more than fifteen years of debate on the issue, 122 countries voted in favor of a compromise resolution drafted by Bolivia and devoting the right, while 41 others abstained. The text "declares that the right to clean drinking water quality and sanitation is a human right, essential to the full enjoyment of the right to life".World reserves of water per capita have halved since 1950 and this volume will be halved again in 2025. Middle East situation looks dramatic, precipitation will fall 25% in the coming years and the rate of evaporation will increase in the same proportion. The water sharing will be perhaps the fight of the century! When rivers like the Jordan, the Nile or the Euphrates pass through several states, major tensions can arise for the control of water. Twenty countries are already regarded as hydro-conflict zones.Water is a common and essential property to life and health. Providing its distribution to the population under conditions that ensure safety and quality is a major public health challenge.

For Erik Orsenna, whose latest book "The Future of Water" deals with this crucial issue, it’s the good governance of water and not only the conquest which is needed: "Let's start with better management of resources we have. Providing water in India costs an average of two dollars per person with techniques for collecting rain water and more than 200 dollars if we choose to make mega-dams".It is therefore necessary to act whenever possible to preserve the quality of water which gives us life and health. No action is trivial and each one can act at his level, in the here and now.

The future of water is in danger?

Here's the debate that our students will face during the meeting in Aix en Provence.

What is the water situation in your country? What solutions can we provide in our daily live?

Elisa Badiali

Team for Aix-en-Provence

Hello, my name’s Beatriz Janes, I’m 16 years old, and I’m from Almada, Portugal. I’m on 11th degree in Anselmo de Andrade Secondary School on Visual Arts.
The world of Arts is my world; I love sing, painting, drawing, take pictures, dancing and acting. But my special gift is singing, and that’s what I pretend to do in the future: travelling around the world doing what I truly love.

Talking about what defines me the most: I’m a funny girl, I spend lots of time “laughing for nothing”. I’m outgoing, I love go out with my friends and know different people, but at the same time I’m a bit sky. I like new challenges and know other realities to amplify my knowledge, that’s one of the reasons why I’m involved for the second time on Comenius Project. I’m a helpful person, so I do whatever it takes to get everything in order. Another curiosity, “Je ne peux pas parler français”, but I learn quickly, so, don’t worry!
In my home, I live with my parents, with my two brothers (Henrique and Inês), and with Pantufa, my cat. I don’t sympathize with dogs, but the small or the quiet ones are okay.
I like to visit good Museums of Art, walking by the sea and breathe fresh air in a beautiful natural park, listening to music or taking pictures.
I like all tips of food, but “morue” is not my favourite.
Finally, I’m completely ready to know what expects me in France! I hope you like my description.
Au revoir!

Team for Aix-en-Provence

My name is Pedro Azevedo.

I'm 15 years old. I have brown eyes and a curly brown hair, but recently I shave it. I'm tall. I wear brackets. I am a scout since I was 6 years old, which means that I have been on the scouts for 9 years now, and I've enjoyed every second. Beside that, I'm from Portugal, Almada and I go to Anselmo de Andrade High School. I'm in the 10th grade, on the Visual Arts class. Beyond all of what I wrote, I like to hang out with my friends, go to the cinema, listen to some music (but that doesn't mean that I'm a regular student, because I am not xD) and watch TV and, of course, I love this project because made me able to interact with people from other countries.

Portuguese Team for Aix-en-Provence

Team for Aix-en-Provence

My name is Tânia.

I’m fourteen years old. I’m slim and of medium height. My face is oval and I’ve got thin eyebrows. My eyes are almond and I wear glasses.
I think I am a pretty girl. I like to be nice and friendly with my friends.
My hair is shoulder-length, healthy and wavy. In the Summer, I usually make a ponytail when I make gymnastics.
I’ve done gymnastics since five years old so I have a thin waist and a lovely figure.
I am from Portugal. I live in a flat in Almada, a quite interesting city.
My close family is my mother, my father and my sisters. I have got two sisters, cousins, grandmother, grandfather, aunt and uncle.
I have got two hamsters, one couple of canaries, and one couple of parakeets . My favourite one is “The ring neck “because it talks a lot.
My favourite subject is Physical Education.
I like cinema, music and gymnastics.
I also love the Project Comenius because I can interact with the foreign people more easily.