C3 Mobility LITHUANIA

The debating activity added up to students' skills that are necessary to achieve a democratic culture such as analytical and critical thinking, listening and observing, flexibility and adaptability, linguistic, communicative skills, cooperation. Thus, these skills will help students in the future to practice and develop citizenship competences, to promote a more active student participation in a society. This activity also provided students with opportunities for learning in a democratic environment helped to improve English language skills as they had to speak, listen actively, acquire materials developed in English.

Minutes of the meeting

First day, Monday, October the 11th , Birštono gimnazija and the town.

9:30-13:00 The teams were greeted by the school director Mr Alvydas Urbanavičius, welcome speeches were delivered. A brief introduction to the location and country was shown on ppt and students were divided into groups of 5 to work with Lithuanian pupils. The project participants were introduced to Lithuanian education system and school curriculum followed by a brief overview of their morning activities and gain. Teachers held their first meeting to discuss the present situation in Leontariou school and offer possible solutions to help our partner new staff to integrate into the project. Also, responsibilities were revised and updated regarding the project website. Arrangements for future visits to Spain, Greece and Turkey were made. A Protocol and the List of Participants were drafted to be signed on the final day of the mobility.

14:00- 17:00 The groups were taken on a guided tour around Birštonas to learn about its historical past, uniqueness, cultural heritage. They enjoyed a panoramic view of the area from the top of the viewing tower.

The day ended with social activities in host families.

Second day, Tuesday, October the 12^th, historical past of Kaunas.

9:00-14:00 The groups were taken to Kaunas to visit the Historical Presidential Palace. The Historical Presidential Palace is a must-see place for everyone, whether native-born or a visitor to Kaunas. It is one of the most important memorials of the Republic of Lithuania in 1918–1940.Visitors were offered an introduction into the evolution of modern Lithuanian statehood, the opportunity to feel the pulse of a growing city that suddenly faced the challenge of becoming a capital and rapidly changed from a fortress into a modern city. The Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania in Kaunas functions as a memorial-educational institution of Lithuanian modern statehood. The activity at the museum was aimed at stimulating discussions about modern statehood and civic society. At 12:00 the acquaintance with the historical past continued at The IXth Fort, a part of the Kaunas Fortress. During the occupation the fort was used as a prison and way-station for prisoners being transported to labour camps. After the occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany, the fort was used as a place of execution for Jews, captured Soviets, and others.

The day ended with social activities in host families.

Third day, Wednesday, October the 13^th, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

8:00-17:30 The day activities were devoted to the acquaintance with the history and culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania; a visit to an archeological heritage site in Kernavė and the old capital of Lithuania- Trakai. In the past it was one of the first centers of the Lithuanian state (13th century). The legendary Pajauta Valley and its five mounds guard the remains of the last European pagan capital. The material in the museum reveals all stages of Lithuanian prehistory. Since 2004 Kernave Archaeological Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch the group visited Trakai Castle and the museum which is devoted to the history of the town, its castles, and the land of Trakai- the ducal palace of the Trakai Island Castle They had an educational activity on Medieval Armor and Armament.

The fourth day, Thursday, October the 14 the debate.

9:00-12:00 In the morning the group had a reception at the Office of Birštonas Municipality, were greeted by the Mayor Mrs N.Dirginčienė, Vice-mayor Mr V.Kederys and Administration Director Ms J.Tirvienė. After the presentation of the municipality and exchange of gifts the participants went to the local museum in Prienai where they had a candle casting educational activity. They were introduced to bee products and how people used to cast candles in the past. Programme participants tried candle casting themselves and learnt what means of lighting were used in the region.

13:00-17:00 The main project activity, the debate, took place. At 1p.m. a meeting on Zoom was held with the team from Leontariou, Greece. The team presented their debate on digital democracy, The age for voting in election should be lowered" virtually which was followed by the debate from other teams on the following issues: "Expression on social media shouldn't be censored" (MANISA TICARET BIRŠTONO GIMNAZUA), "E-voting in election should become usual practice" (ITIS GIOVANNI XXI, I.E.S. FRANCESC TÀRREGA), "E-services should be available i.e. free to all citizens" (BIRŠTONO GIMNAZIJA, ADOLFO RAMANAUSKO-VANAGO GIMNAZIJA, ALYTUS). The debate society members from Alytus acted as adjudicators and gave a feedback on students' performance in the debate. The event was followed by the Certificate ceremony, folk dances and project topic-related fun activities. The teachers gathered for the 2 meeting to map out a forthcoming MUN activities in Spain, define the topic for preparation (Gender Equality), discuss travel arrangements.

The fifth day, Friday, October the 15, a day in Vilnius.

8:00-18:00 The main goal of the day's activities was visiting the Lithuanian parliament, Seimas, meeting with Emanuelis Zingeris, politician, signatory of the 1990 Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, currently serving as a Member of the Seimas, chairman of its foreign affairs committee, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and President of the Parliamentary Forum of the Community of Democracies. The participants were introduced to the structure and work of Seimas, the main legislative body of Republic of Lithuania and had an opportunity to meet a political activist from Cuba. The afternoon activities were related to learning about the historical past of the Lithuanian capital, its cultural treasures and heritage.

The programme of the learning activities aimed at educating and raising democratic citizens who can think universally. Participant students had an opportunity to increase lingual, technological, communicative, intercultural, collaborative skills, to experience and appreciate different unfamiliar cultural forms of expression and innovative teaching methods. Living through this experience they boosted self-confidence, perfected their interpersonal and intercultural competencies. Through team-related tasks, attending workshops run by a professional debate coach and teachers, participants expanded and improved their knowledge of Lithuanian history and government of state, today's development of democratic government processes, improved public speaking, decision making and problem-solving skills. Students also got insight on sacrial and folk arts, city planning for defensive and residential purposes.

Although students were staying at a hotel to minimise the risks of Covid-19 infection, they had opportunities to get acquainted with lifestyles of local student families in order to raise their cultural awareness, share knowledge and learn about local food, traditional clothes, routines by taking part in activities during the mobility at school and at host student homes.