Training Course on the
European Union

History, values, and institutions

EURO4VET partners meet in Leiria for a training week.

From 30 September to 4 October, 15 teachers ( gathered at the School of Education and Social Sciences, of the Polytechnic University of Leiria, for a week of training on topics related to the European Union.

The 15 teachers came in equal numbers from the 5 partner vocational schools of this Jean Monnet Network, supported by the Erasmus+ programme: Finland, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. During these days, the participants had very dynamic classes with lecturers from the Higher Education Institution, that is also part of the consortium, and guests, namely the coordinator of the Information and Communication Unit of the Jacques Delors European Information Centre, of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ambassador of the European Union in Portugal; and the Representative of the European Parliament in Portugal. 

The topics covered included the history of the EU; the competences of the Commission and the Parliament; the several EU institutions; the different dimensions of the European Citizenship - Civil and Political Rights; and the panoply of Values that shape the EU - Dignity, Democracy, Freedom, the Rule of Law, Equality and Respect for Human Rights.

In addition to the sessions, there were cultural visits to various places in our region.

After their return, the participants will disseminate what they learnt internally, throughout their school community, and externally, to their stakeholders. The consortium will start preparing a similar course, based on this one, but targeted to VET students.