The Pandemic of Covid-19 has so far highlighted the need to strengthen European values and to promote democratic processes aimed at a stronger integration. Processes which consolidate a European identity capable of fighting Member States’ selfishness that jeopardise the rule of law. Fundamental, from this point of view, is the need to involve young European citizens and to infuse the strong values of the motherland Europe, with the aim of increasing their civic engagement and the participation to the democratic dynamics.
On the idea for a more solid and resilient European Union, “EUROTHON” is born, a European event focused on reflecting on identity roots, aimed at exploring and discussing the values and history of Europe.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: STRENGTHNENING YOUNG EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ ENGAGEMENT
The final aim of the EUROTHON project is to broaden knowledge of European ideals and to increase the involvement of young people in the democratic processes of the Union through an innovative learning programme, which adopts an integrative, student-centred and action-oriented approach. Furthermore, the project aims to promote the following objectives:
- enhancing the civic engagement of young people by providing them with the right information, tools and channels to make their voices heard by policy-makers and relevant organisations and to enable them to be the actors of a new tomorrow
- strengthening the social inclusion of young people in European values, promoting intercultural dialogue and acceptance, as well as tolerance, towards the 'different'
- encouraging young people's sense of initiative, notably in the social field to support their communities
- incentivising equal learning, self-awareness and work collaboration, through the educational programs promoted by EUROTHON
e-Medine AS THE FIRST EUROTHON PARTNER
The non-profit organisation e-Medine participates as project coordinator: it will host short-term training events for educators in Italy, with the aim of testing the methodologies and training contents provided in one of the 4 intellectual outputs of EUROTHON. In particular, the organisation is responsible for the realisation of the methodological framework and the training material that will be used in the event. It will also create 5 modules that will deal with different aspects of active citizenship:
- how to be a changemaker
- united in diversity
- save the planet
- social entrepreneurship is the way
- be an EU ambassador!
Therefore, EUROTHON aims to increase the personal commitment of participants to the values of the European community, instructing them on strengthening its identity, through the provision of a set of appropriate tools and solid practical skills.
In times of a severe economic, social and political crisis, e-Medine believes it is necessary to pursue the idea of a more united, strong and resilient Europe capable of facing the new challenges posed to its citizens. European integration, as well as education in civil engagement and the proactive participation in democratic processes, becomes a necessary condition for going further, focusing on today’s young people, the face of tomorrow’s Europe.
