The Ideal European Citizen Poster
Pupils from Germany, Greece and Ireland collaborated to create a poster celebrating the the Year of European Citizens. Here is our finished work and you can learn more about the process involved at
http://new-twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=24859832
Pupils from Germany, Greece and Ireland collaborated to create a poster celebrating the the Year of European Citizens. Here is our finished work and you can learn more about the process involved at
http://new-twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=24859832
Our rationale for the creation of this poster
The citizens form the central part of the poster, and take your attention. They are very colourful, characters and these colours represent the diversity of people in Europe. The citizens appear very relaxed and confident and their reflections create a sense of calmness. And yet, they are asserting the important ideals of citizenship. The fact that these ideals are scripted in red, hand-written and enclosed in coloured speech bubbles emphasise their importance.
The citizens themselves are framed by a roof and steps. The roof and steps are symbolic of a temple (religion), parliament (democracy), museum (heritage), theatre (culture), gallery (art), or a courthouse (justice) – all of which are very important in the life of a citizen.
Outside the mainframe of the picture is the EU flag which reminds us that these are citizens of the EU. A dove carries an olive branch (both symbols of peace), reminding us that the countries of the EU have been at peace since its inception. When the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, launched our Comenius Project in Galway he spoke of diversity and citizenship and one of his parting phrases to the pupils was to “be endlessly curious”. We felt this was a brilliant phrase, not just for pupils but for any citizen. An ideal citizen should always be learning and asking questions, always engaging and participating, but at the same respecting diversity and the rights of others.
For the pupils of 1o Primary School of Asvestohori, Tieplatzschule, and St Michael’s this has been a great collaboration. They have explored and debated the ideals of citizenship. They have used mind-maps. They have sketched. They have planned. They have partaken in workshops. They have discussed how their ideals might be portrayed in the poster. In partaking in this process they were, in fact, behaving as ideal citizens. They were engaging, partaking, debating, respecting and agreeing on a course of action that has led to the creation of this wonderful poster
The citizens form the central part of the poster, and take your attention. They are very colourful, characters and these colours represent the diversity of people in Europe. The citizens appear very relaxed and confident and their reflections create a sense of calmness. And yet, they are asserting the important ideals of citizenship. The fact that these ideals are scripted in red, hand-written and enclosed in coloured speech bubbles emphasise their importance.
The citizens themselves are framed by a roof and steps. The roof and steps are symbolic of a temple (religion), parliament (democracy), museum (heritage), theatre (culture), gallery (art), or a courthouse (justice) – all of which are very important in the life of a citizen.
Outside the mainframe of the picture is the EU flag which reminds us that these are citizens of the EU. A dove carries an olive branch (both symbols of peace), reminding us that the countries of the EU have been at peace since its inception. When the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, launched our Comenius Project in Galway he spoke of diversity and citizenship and one of his parting phrases to the pupils was to “be endlessly curious”. We felt this was a brilliant phrase, not just for pupils but for any citizen. An ideal citizen should always be learning and asking questions, always engaging and participating, but at the same respecting diversity and the rights of others.
For the pupils of 1o Primary School of Asvestohori, Tieplatzschule, and St Michael’s this has been a great collaboration. They have explored and debated the ideals of citizenship. They have used mind-maps. They have sketched. They have planned. They have partaken in workshops. They have discussed how their ideals might be portrayed in the poster. In partaking in this process they were, in fact, behaving as ideal citizens. They were engaging, partaking, debating, respecting and agreeing on a course of action that has led to the creation of this wonderful poster
The values and attributes that our pupils see in an Ideal European Citizen.
Ireland: Equality, Civil Rights, Respect and Tolerance, Cultural diversity, Curiosity, Help family and community, Give, Vote, Discuss and Debate, Independence
Germany: Rights for children, Different architecture and landscape, Freedom of Speech, Religious Freedom, Freedom to travel, No war, Justice, Good schools, Jobs and opportunities.
Greece: Participation, Engagement, Cooperation, Right to vote, Social inclusion, Mobility, Democracy, Tolerance, Solidarity, Work
These pupils have very similar ideals: Rights and Freedoms, Tolerance and Respect, Engagement and Cooperation, Respect for others, Education and Work, Elections and democracy
Ireland: Equality, Civil Rights, Respect and Tolerance, Cultural diversity, Curiosity, Help family and community, Give, Vote, Discuss and Debate, Independence
Germany: Rights for children, Different architecture and landscape, Freedom of Speech, Religious Freedom, Freedom to travel, No war, Justice, Good schools, Jobs and opportunities.
Greece: Participation, Engagement, Cooperation, Right to vote, Social inclusion, Mobility, Democracy, Tolerance, Solidarity, Work
These pupils have very similar ideals: Rights and Freedoms, Tolerance and Respect, Engagement and Cooperation, Respect for others, Education and Work, Elections and democracy