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During my 5-month period as an ‘Argonaftis’, the working experience program ran by AKTI – Project and Research Center and Eurolife, I had the chance to participate in a Summer School in Dublin, Ireland. The Summer School, organised by Unidev – Development Education in Theory and Practice dealt with the Global Citizenship Education in a Post-2015 context and involved academics, volunteers and activists from 3 NGOs, Kimmage DSC from Ireland, the NGO Support Centre from Cyprus and Pontis Foundation from Slovakia. The objectives of the School were the theoretical and practical knowledge of issues associated with Global Citizenship Education and the post-2015 agenda opportunities, the reflection on the concepts, skills and values related to it and discussion of what could be done to improve the Global Citizenship Education in the Global South. During the 4 days of the Summer School, we met and talked to Activists which took part in the Gaza region, e.g. Caoimhe Butterly which was shot during the fights but survived, we had presentations from scientists about various subjects regarding the Global Citizenship, the Post-2015 agenda and activism, and took part in workshops trying to think how we can implement the common goal of improving the life quality of people in the Global South. Other goals of the school were the promotion of activism and volunteerism and the protection of the environment. Finally, we had a debate about the challenges that arose with the subjects we discussed – how all the things we proposed can be transformed into reality. The main idea we end up to was Education. By 2015, all children should be able to complete a full course of primary schooling – this is the the ‘put every child in school’ program by the UN. This goal could be accomplished if everyone contributes, each one from a different prospect. Civil Society Organisations (NGOs, volunteers) can promote activism and spread information, while International Organisations can give the money which is a critical factor of success.

This Summer School in Dublin gave me the chance to meet people from two other countries, discuss with them issues of great interest for me, and finally I had the opportunity to travel and explore a beautiful city. Read more