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Month: November 2024

Empowering Students for a Sustainable Future: SMILE Project Unveils Educational Videos

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Uncategorized.

The SMILE project proudly announces the launch of a dynamic series of educational videos designed to inspire and engage students in addressing climate change, promoting sustainable mobility, and advancing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. These videos aim to raise awareness, foster critical thinking, and empower young people to adopt climate-conscious behaviors that help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

A centerpiece of SMILE’s Result 3: Educational Resources for Students & Piloting, the videos are integrated with creative and interactive Escape Room activities, making learning both enjoyable and impactful. By blending storytelling with problem-solving, these resources empower students to tackle environmental challenges while envisioning sustainable solutions.

As the project concludes, its primary focus remains equipping teachers with the knowledge and tools needed to guide students in understanding and addressing climate-related issues. Through capacity building and innovative educational methods, SMILE fosters a deeper commitment to sustainability and inspires active participation in creating a greener future.

Teachers, students, and stakeholders are invited to explore these videos and join this transformative initiative.Watch the videos here: SMILE Project YouTube Channel.

UxGE Project Participates in the Pancyprian Red Cross Cyprus Youth Conference

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 16, 2024, CARDET actively participated in the Pancyprian Conference of the Red Cross Cyprus Youth Department at Xenion School in Paralimni, offering an engaging session aimed at empowering young people.

The event provided a dynamic platform for CARDET to introduce the UxGE Project to youth members and volunteer leaders of the Red Cross Cyprus. The presentation highlighted the project’s goals, which focus on sustainability and the pivotal role youth can play in shaping a more sustainable future. CARDET extended an open invitation to participants, encouraging them to join the project’s upcoming activities and contribute to meaningful change.

Following the presentation, attendees participated in an interactive workshop on sustainability. The workshop emphasized the vital role of youth in advancing sustainable development goals, fostering meaningful discussions, and inspiring participants to generate actionable ideas.

This event marked the 4th stakeholder meeting, part of a series designed to showcase the UxGE Project’s core objectives, target audiences, planned activities, and anticipated outcomes. A key highlight was the introduction of the Online Training Course (OTC), the project’s first major deliverable, which equips participants with essential knowledge and skills for sustainable development.

The successful engagement demonstrated the growing impact of the UxGE Project and the passion of Cyprus’s youth to take the lead in building a sustainable future. This partnership highlights the mutual dedication of CARDET and the Red Cross Cyprus Youth Department to promoting education, empowerment, and environmental stewardship among young leaders in Cyprus..

Learn more about the UxGE Project here

Building Democracy Through Civic Champions: Engaging Citizens for a Stronger Future

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 20, 2024, the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens and CARDET hosted the open discussion “Opening the Dialogue in Democracy” at the Presidential Palace. Attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, citizens, professionals, community organizations, and government officials, the event aimed to promote participatory democracy and strengthen civil society.

The discussion, part of the EU-funded “Civic Champions” project, focused on key themes:

  • Promoting democratic values and active civic participation.
  • Encouraging citizen involvement through initiatives like Citizen Initiatives and Public Consultations.
  • Enhancing transparency via collaboration between the state and civil society.
  • Strengthening legislative support for civil society organizations.

Journalist Evangelos Agapiou moderated the interactive dialogue, fostering meaningful exchanges about advancing democracy in Cyprus.

Key Highlights

President Christodoulides stressed the importance of transparent governance to rebuild trust, particularly among youth. He highlighted initiatives like ekfraCy and Voice of the Citizen that ensure accountability by tracking government decisions and their progress.

Commissioner Panayiotis Palates noted that democracy requires active citizen participation, emphasizing the need for modern frameworks to amplify civil society’s impact.

Dr. Elena Papamichael from the Ministry of Education highlighted teaching strategies to address human rights and democratic citizenship in schools.

Mr. George Matthaiopoulos of the Ministry of Interior underscored dialogue as central to healthy democratic processes, calling democracy a “collective responsibility”.

Dr. Olivia Patsalidou from the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteering emphasized supporting NGOs through legislation and fostering participation via campaigns and digital tools.

Mr. Nikolas Mousoulides of the Ministry of Labor announced a campaign on institutional awareness and an upcoming platform to improve e-governance and accessibility, launching in early 2025.

Ms. Michaela Protopapa, representing CARDET, presented the Civic Champions initiative, which empowers citizens for active participation and social change. She also reinforced CARDET’s commitment to supporting civil society, promoting inclusive governance, and advancing participatory democracy through innovative initiatives and strategic collaboration.

The event concluded with a strong call for collective efforts to create a more inclusive and transparent democracy, ensuring every citizen’s voice is heard.

ACT-INCLUSIVE: Παρουσιάζει Ολοκληρωμένη Έκθεση για την Συμπεριληπτική Εκπαίδευση στην Κύπρο

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Το έργο ACT-INCLUSIVE, μια σημαντική πρωτοβουλία που χρηματοδοτείται από το πρόγραμμα Erasmus+ στο πλαίσιο της “Σύμπραξης για τη συνεργασία στον τομέα της εκπαίδευσης και της κατάρτισης (ERASMUS-EDU-2022-PCOOP-ENGO), παρουσιάζει με υπερηφάνεια τα τελευταία ευρήματά του σχετικά με την κατάσταση της συμπεριληπτικής εκπαίδευσης στην Κύπρο. 

Η ολοκληρωμένη έκθεση, που είναι πλέον διαθέσιμη στην ιστοσελίδα του έργου, εκπονήθηκε από τον ερευνητικό οργανισμό CARDET και περιγράφει λεπτομερώς τις τρέχουσες δομές, προκλήσεις και ευκαιρίες εντός των γενικών σχολείων για μαθητές με αναπηρία. 

Τι είναι η συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση;

Συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση σημαίνει ότι κάθε παιδί έχει δικαίωμα σε ποιοτική εκπαίδευση και μάθηση. Πρόκειται για τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αναπτύσσουμε και σχεδιάζουμε τα σχολεία, τις τάξεις, τα προγράμματα και τις δραστηριότητές μας, έτσι ώστε όλοι οι μαθητές να μαθαίνουν και να συμμετέχουν μαζί.

Γιατί συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση;

Η συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση είναι ζωτικής σημασίας. Προωθεί την ποικιλομορφία, την ισότητα και την κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη. Αναγνωρίζει ότι κάθε μαθητής είναι μοναδικός και έχει διαφορετικές μαθησιακές ανάγκες και επιδιώκει να δημιουργήσει ένα περιβάλλον που ανταποκρίνεται σε αυτές τις μαθησιακές ανάγκες.

Συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση: Ιστορική και νομοθετική επισκόπηση

Η ιστορία της συμπεριληπτικής εκπαίδευσης στην Κύπρο χαρακτηρίζεται από σημαντικές νομοθετικές εξελίξεις. Από την ίδρυση των ξεχωριστών ειδικών σχολείων το 1929, η Κύπρος γνώρισε διάφορες φάσεις ενσωμάτωσης. Το νομοθετικό πλαίσιο παγιώθηκε το 1999 με τον Εκπαιδευτικό Νόμο για τα παιδιά με ειδικές ανάγκες, διασφαλίζοντας ότι όλοι οι μαθητές, ανεξάρτητα από τις αναπηρίες τους, έχουν το δικαίωμα να ενταχθούν στα γενικά σχολεία.

Τρέχουσες δομές και συστήματα υποστήριξης

Το κυπριακό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα προβλέπει τόσο γενική όσο και ειδική εκπαίδευση. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί ειδικής αγωγής υποστηρίζουν τους μαθητές μέσα στις γενικές τάξεις, διασφαλίζοντας ότι λαμβάνουν την απαραίτητη εξατομικευμένη προσοχή. Παρά τις προσπάθειες αυτές, το σύστημα αντιμετωπίζει προκλήσεις, όπως η ανεπάρκεια εξειδικευμένου προσωπικού, ιδίως στη δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση, και η ανάγκη για πιο ολοκληρωμένα προγράμματα κατάρτισης εκπαιδευτικών.

Προκλήσεις και εμπόδια στη συμπερίληψη

Παρόλο που υπάρχουν δομές για την υποστήριξη των μαθητών με αναπηρίες, παραμένουν αρκετές προκλήσεις:

  • Ανεπαρκές εξειδικευμένο προσωπικό: Ο αριθμός των εξειδικευμένων εκπαιδευτικών ειδικής αγωγής είναι ανεπαρκής, ιδίως στα σχολεία της δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης.
  • Περιορισμένη κατάρτιση εκπαιδευτικών: Οι εκπαιδευτικοί συχνά δεν έχουν επαρκή κατάρτιση σε πρακτικές συμπεριληπτικής εκπαίδευσης.
  • Υποδομές και προσβασιμότητα: Πολλά σχολεία πρέπει ακόμη να βελτιώσουν τη φυσική προσβασιμότητα και να παρέχουν επαρκείς υποστηρικτικές τεχνολογίες.

Απόψεις ομάδων – στόχου 

Η έκθεση εμπλουτίζεται με τις απόψεις 10 εκπαιδευτικών και 25 μαθητών από τρία γενικά σχολεία στην Κύπρο. Οι απόψεις τους αναδεικνύουν τις πρακτικές προκλήσεις και τις επιτυχίες της εφαρμογής της συμπεριληπτικής εκπαίδευσης στην πράξη. Τόσο οι εκπαιδευτικοί όσο και οι μαθητές τονίζουν την ανάγκη για περισσότερους πόρους, καλύτερη κατάρτιση και μια πιο συμπεριληπτική σχολική κουλτούρα.

Συστάσεις για μελλοντικές αλλαγές 

Τα ευρήματα από την Κύπρο συμβάλλουν καθοριστικά στη διαμόρφωση μελλοντικών πολιτικών και πρακτικών. Οι βασικές συστάσεις περιλαμβάνουν:

  1. Αύξηση των επενδύσεων στην ειδική εκπαίδευση: Διάθεση περισσότερων πόρων για την πρόσληψη και την κατάρτιση εξειδικευμένου προσωπικού.
  2. Βελτίωση των προγραμμάτων κατάρτισης εκπαιδευτικών: Ανάπτυξη ολοκληρωμένων προγραμμάτων κατάρτισης με επίκεντρο τη συμπεριληπτική εκπαίδευση.
  3. Βελτίωση των σχολικών υποδομών: Διασφάλιση ότι όλα τα σχολεία είναι φυσικά προσβάσιμα και εξοπλισμένα με τις απαραίτητες υποστηρικτικές τεχνολογίες.
  4. Προώθηση μιας σχολικής συμπεριληπτικής κουλτούρας: Προώθηση της αποδοχής και της συμπερίληψης μέσω εκστρατειών ευαισθητοποίησης και συμπεριληπτικών πρακτικών.

Το έργο

Το έργο ACT-INCLUSIVE στοχεύει στη διάδοση συμπεριληπτικών πρακτικών και υλικού, που είναι κατάλληλα για την ευαισθητοποίηση των σχολικών κοινοτήτων και την ενδυνάμωση των μαθητών με αναπηρίες. Το έργο υποστηρίζεται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση Παρόχων Υπηρεσιών για Άτομα με Αναπηρία (Βέλγιο) και εκπαιδευτικά κέντρα από την Ισπανία, την Ουγγαρία, την Κύπρο, τη Γαλλία και τη Σλοβενία.

Περισσότερες πληροφορίες

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες, επισκεφθείτε την ιστοσελίδα μας και ακολουθήστε τις σελίδες μας στο FB και το LinkedIn.

Final Meeting Marks Completion of SDG NAVIGATOR Project in Lithuania

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The SDG NAVIGATOR project concluded with its final Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 19–20, 2024. Dedicated to empowering individuals as sustainability changemakers, the project has delivered innovative, learner-centered vocational education and training (VET) tools. These resources aim to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to advance sustainable development and support entrepreneurial efforts in the sustainability sector.

During the meeting, project partners reviewed and finalized key deliverables, including:

  • A comprehensive competencies dictionary,
  • A tailored learning path, and
  • A versatile toolbox.

These resources are now freely accessible on the SDG NAVIGATOR Hub, an online platform created to assist educators and learners in achieving sustainability goals. Visit the Hub at https://sdgnavigator.eu/ for more information, or request personalized guidance.

The SDG NAVIGATOR project has developed unique, action-oriented learning materials designed to enhance individual capacities to contribute to sustainability goals. By providing open-access VET resources, the project fosters social and eco-entrepreneurship while promoting practical, step-by-step actions for meaningful change.

Ultimately, SDG NAVIGATOR aims to nurture a culture of sustainability entrepreneurship and reinforce an entrepreneurial mindset that drives progress. By focusing on local, national, and European levels, the project contributes to the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across diverse communities.

Discover more about the SDG NAVIGATOR project here.

STEM4LIFE Project Releases Key Resources for Empowering Women in Cyprus to follow a STEAM career path

STEAM4LIFE Project Releases Key Resources for Empowering Women in Cyprus’ STEAM Sector

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The STEAM4LIFE project has successfully concluded, making impactful advancements in promoting female participation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields among higher education students in Cyprus. This project has aimed to address the gender gap by creating initiatives that encourage young women to explore and thrive in STEAM careers. In collaboration with universities and industry leaders, STEAM4LIFE has supported the adoption of innovative practices that advance both gender equality and educational excellence in the STEAM sector. 

Throughout the project, partners developed a wealth of educational and training materials aimed at boosting engagement and supporting effective mentorship and teaching practices. Key outputs include:

  1. Guidance and Mentoring Programme for Women in STEAM
    This comprehensive guide provides higher education leaders and educators with essential knowledge and practical tools to engage female students in STEAM activities. It offers insights on promoting digital skills and mentoring women to make informed career decisions. Access here

  2. STEAM4LIFE E-Learning Platform
    The platform features 18 detailed lecture plans tailored for higher education educators, as well as an innovative career simulator with eight interactive scenarios designed to help students explore gender-oriented career paths. Additionally, it offers 36 open educational resources (OERs) related to STEM/STEAM, fostering an accessible and diverse learning environment. Access here

  3. STEAM4LIFE Educational E-Courses
    These two e-courses consist of four interactive learning modules each. Aimed at higher education educators and industry professionals, the modules provide both theoretical and practical strategies to inspire and guide students toward pursuing STEAM careers. Access here 

All these innovative resources are available for free. For more information about the project, visit the official website. 

BoysLingo concludes in Poland

BoysLingo Partners Meet for the Final Time in Poland

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

On November 14-15, 2024, CARDET proudly attended the final partner meeting and conference of the BoysLingo project, hosted by Sysco Polska in Warsaw, Poland. This milestone event marked the culmination of years of collaboration, during which partners reflected on the progress made and explored the lasting impact of BoysLingo on language learning for young boys.

The BoysLingo project aimed to enhance the language skills of boys aged 10-14 through innovative, gamified mobile learning environments. It provided a comprehensive teaching approach, creating an inclusive and engaging experience that helped boys achieve strong language competence. At the final event, partners showcased the project’s achievements and resources.

Key Deliverables of the Project:

  • Handbook of Guidelines, Activities, and Best Practices: This extensive resource supports teachers and school communities in adopting gamified learning strategies to improve boys’ language skills. It includes methodologies, apps, and best practices to enhance learning outcomes.
  • Mobile App: The BoysLingo app offers 40 gamified learning scenarios aligned with national curricula, featuring customizable characters, interactive quizzes, and real-world examples. The app is available for download on the App Store and Play Store.
  • Teacher Training Curricula – E-learning Platform: Designed for educators, school leaders, and staff, this platform includes three learning modules that provide the knowledge to integrate gamified language learning activities into classrooms using digital tools.

To learn more about the project and access its resources, visit the BoysLingo website or follow the project on Facebook.

MineTOUR Project Drives Innovation in Rural Tourism Across Europe

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The MineTOUR Project has completed a series of training modules aimed at supporting
youth from rural areas and trainers working with youth. These modules are designed to help
young individuals develop skills in tourism, digital literacy, and community engagement
while addressing challenges specific to rural areas. The project aligns with global and
regional strategies, including the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Goals, which emphasize empowering youth to contribute to sustainable practices and
community development.

The modules focus on the following key areas:

  1. Sustainable Tourism: Focuses on equipping youth with knowledge of eco-friendly
    tourism practices that promote local economic growth while preserving cultural and
    natural heritage, as highlighted by the UNWTO’s Global Tourism Development
    framework.
  2. Digital Literacy & Financial Literacy: Teaches essential digital skills and financial
    management to help rural youth navigate modern economic opportunities while
    addressing rural-urban digital divides.
  3. Digital Skills for Sustainable Tourism: Supports youth in utilizing digital tools for
    tourism promotion, positioning technology as a key enabler for rural economic
    innovation.
  4. Community Engagement: Encourages active participation in local governance and
    civic activities, highlighting the role of youth in strengthening community resilience
    and contributing to decision-making.
  5. Innovative Approaches in Local Tourism: Guides youth in showcasing their region’s
    unique culture and history through creative tourism initiatives, emphasizing their role
    in cultural preservation.

For more information, visit the project’s official website.

EGIDEV Project Advances at Third Transnational Project Meeting in Rome

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The third Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) for the EGIDEV Project, held in Rome on November 4-5, marked a significant milestone in the development of an educational board game aimed at teaching digital entrepreneurship to Vocational Education and Training (VET) students.

During the meeting, key project members gathered to review the current version of the board game and conduct demo play sessions to test it. On the first day, project partners engaged in an initial test session, followed by a second day of testing with external participants from Italy. The objective was to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and make final adjustments before advancing to the next phases. The next in-person meeting for project partners is scheduled for spring 2025 in Portugal.

This innovative game uses gamification to teach students about entrepreneurship, aligning with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the EntreComp model to facilitate hands-on learning of essential business competencies. The demo play session yielded valuable insights that will guide final refinements, bringing the project closer to its goal of empowering VET students and educators to engage meaningfully with digital entrepreneurship.

The EGIDEV team is eager to integrate the feedback received, striving to make a lasting impact on digital entrepreneurship education across the EU.

More information about the EGIDEV Project can be found here

Civic Champions Launches Its First Newsletter

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Civic Champions Project is pleased to announce the launch of its project activities, marked by the release of its first newsletter.

Aiming to identify, document, and primarily address the challenges faced by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Southern Europe, the team of Civic Champions announces the launch of its project activities. Civic Champions is an international project funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program and is implemented by the Center for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria), CESIE (Italy), KMOP (Greece), and CARDET (Cyprus).

Download the newsletter below to learn more about the first launch event in Greece and the upcoming launch events, in each country, known as the Civic Champions Days. These events will provide opportunities to explore and discuss the challenges faced by EU Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and address critical issues such as shrinking civic space, disinformation, and online threats.