02 nov Empowering Active Citizenship through Education
The Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean (Greece) hosted twelve students from Palacký University in Olomouc (Czechia) from September 14 to October 14, 2025. The cooperation between the two universities aimed to support pre-service teacher education through experience-based learning in real educational settings.
At the beginning of their visit, the students from Palacký University participated in introductory workshops on active citizenship connected with the Active Citizen Compass (ACC) project (KA2+ Erasmus+). The students were initially introduced to the theoretical framework of active citizenship while they were encouraged to reflect on their role as future educators in promoting active citizenship in their classrooms. Students worked on practical examples of active citizenship within education, linking theory to classroom practice. Additionally, they attended a series of seminars on digital storytelling as a powerful educational tool. These seminars prepared them to design learning activities that would bring civic values to life in real school settings.
From University to the Classroom
The visiting students engaged in teaching activities across four schools in Mytilene:
- Model Lower Secondary School of Mytilene
- 2nd Lower Secondary School of Mytilene
- Model General High School of Mytilene of the University of the Aegean
- 2nd High School of Mytilene.
Cooperating with school teachers, students designed and implemented learning activities using digital storytelling to promote active citizenship. The topics addressed cyberbullying prevention, cultural diversity, and environmental protection, with a special focus on the protection of olive trees from wildfires, highly connected to sustainability.
Through collaboration, exchange of ideas, and discussion, pupils were encouraged to engage with real-world issues and propose meaningful solutions.
These activities were closely aligned with the goals of the Active Citizen Compass (KA2 Erasmus+) project in which both University of the Aegean and Palacky University, along with other partners, are participating.
Written by Vana Chiou, University of the Aegean