During the 2024–2025 academic year, the General Lyceum of Monemvasia actively participated in the European eTwinning project titled “Protecting Our World Cultural and Natural Heritage.” This initiative aimed to raise awareness among students about the importance of safeguarding cultural and natural heritage while fostering skills in collaboration, research, digital creation, and intercultural dialogue.
The project involved collaboration with schools from Greece, Italy, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Turkey, featuring a series of creative and cooperative activities with an interdisciplinary approach. Initially, students engaged in introductory activities and information exchange, presenting themselves, their schools, and their initial thoughts on heritage preservation through the online platform eTwinning Space. This phase also included the creation of a team logo, enhancing their creativity and digital skills. A subsequent online vote among all participating schools determined the final official logo of the project.
Students then showcased UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as lesser-known local landmarks and significant cultural and natural points of interest. Working collaboratively, student groups presented the history, significance, and threats facing these monuments using multimedia tools such as Canva, Padlet, PowerPoint, and the eTwinning platform. They also engaged in discussions with experts about cultural heritage and the natural environment, conducting interviews that were incorporated into a digital magazine. Additionally, they participated in a campaign promoting sustainable practices, sending a message to encourage everyone to adopt good practices for environmental protection.
Furthermore, the project creatively connected with subjects like History, Foreign Languages, and Computer Science, reinforcing its interdisciplinary nature, experiential learning, and environmental awareness.
In a statement, the Principal of the General Lyceum, Maria Kountouri, along with responsible educators Eleni Maroulakou, Paraskevi Spyridakou, and Matina Jerefou, noted: “Through this program, students gained valuable experiences in exploration, creative expression, and international collaboration. They developed sensitivity towards the protection of culture and the environment, better understood the threats faced by monuments, and enhanced their responsibility as future active citizens. Their participation was a unique experience of international cooperation, active learning, and cultural exchange beyond the borders of our country.”
To explore the outcomes of this collaboration with schools from other countries, you can access the produced materials through the provided link.
