Think globally act locally
▶Summary
Our primary objective in implementing this Erasmus+ project was to strengthen the social and environmental responsibility of secondary school students across Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Poland...
▶Objectives
Our primary objective in implementing this Erasmus+ project was to strengthen the social and environmental responsibility of secondary school students across Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Poland. We aimed to enhance collaboration among the four partner schools and reinforce alignment with the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme’s mission, which seeks to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate young people. By connecting our students across borders, we aspired to nurture intercultural understanding and respect, equipping them to contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable world through the collaborative experiences and activities of this two-year project.
▶Activities
In the "Think Globally, Act Locally" project, we engaged in four Work Packages (WPs) across Poland, Norway, Slovenia, and Slovakia, each aimed at fostering environmental sustainability and social responsibility. WP1 in Krakow, Poland: Students worked with local NGOs, the Food Bank and Aeris Futuro, to limit food waste and plant trees. Activities included NGO-led lectures, tree-planting, and food gathering, culminating in presentations on community support strategies. WP2 in Gjøvik, Norway: This winter-themed session explored climate knowledge and sustainable outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing and introductions to "BUA" and the app "Too Good to Go", CAS and TOK reflection sessions. WP3 in Maribor, Slovenia: Students experienced sustainable living in a community, eco friendly activities outdoor and TOK reflection sessions, WP4 in Bratislava, Slovakia: Participants learned about local challenges through city exploration, volunteerism, and NGO workshops on sustainability and inclusion, completing the project with reflection sessions to plan future initiatives.
▶Impact
The 'Think Globally, Act Locally' project produced numerous concrete outputs and results. Over 20 teachers and 250 students strengthened their awareness of social and environmental responsibilities. Both IB and general studies teachers improved their skills in integrating modern practices into teaching, fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. Innovative methods were successfully implemented in the IB curriculum, particularly in Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), while also benefiting extracurricular activities across the school. International exchanges and collaboration enriched school communities, promoting intercultural understanding and inclusion on local, national, and international levels. The project’s environmental focus, from eco-friendly activities to climate-focused workshops, empowered students and teachers alike to critically address global challenges. Additionally, partnerships with local NGOs broadened the project’s impact, further contributing to the goals of the IB mission statement.