During the week of May 17th – 23rd, JUMP hosted three Portuguese teachers participating in the training course “Teaching Europe: The EU, its Function, and New Priorities Towards 2030.” Over the course of three days, participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the European Union, its core values, and its role in addressing contemporary challenges. The training encouraged teachers to bring European topics into their classrooms and support the development of informed and engaged citizens.
On the first day, the participants reflected on the significance of European education and the reasons why knowledge about the European Union should be integrated into school curricula. The session also introduced the foundations of the EU, highlighting its unique character as a community built on cultural diversity, cooperation, and common democratic values. In addition, non-formal educational activities developed by JUMP and inspired by official EU resources were presented. Among them, the “EU Rally Game” offered participants a practical example of how interactive methodologies can be used to increase student engagement and facilitate learning about European topics in an enjoyable and meaningful way.
On the second day, participants explored the concepts of identity, culture, and citizenship within the European context. In particular, the session focused on Europe’s shared historical and cultural roots, encouraging participants to recognise both the common elements and the diversity that shape European societies today. Particular attention was given to the meaning of being a European citizen, highlighting the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities connected to European citizenship. Finally, the concepts of cultural heritage and dissonant heritage were examined, fostering discussion on how different interpretations of the past can contribute to dialogue, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of Europe’s complex history.
In the afternoon of the same day, the teachers took part with other participants in nature based activities and in the official UN board game “Go-goals”, encouraging reflection on sustainability, inclusion, and social responsibility. By connecting European priorities with global objectives, teachers gained practical ideas for promoting awareness of current societal challenges while encouraging students to think critically about their role in shaping the future.
On the final day, participants had the opportunity to discover and test another educational board game focused on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Through this interactive activity, they explored key rights and values such as dignity, equality, freedom, solidarity, citizens’ rights, and justice. In addition, they visited a local school, where they had the chance to observe and take part in an activity on EU Country Symbols. This experience allowed them to engage directly with students and gain practical insights into how European topics can be taught through interactive and participatory methods. The school visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect the concepts explored during the course with real classroom practice.
Author: Giusy Froio (JUMP trainer)
