Erasmus+ HUMAN RIGHTS project this time in England.
After almost 2 years of efforts, covid hindrances, war turmoil we succeeded. We spent Sunday, October 2, 2022, traveling to attend a panel discussion on the condition of human rights first thing Monday morning. We had the opportunity to participate in classes in literature, physics, mathematics, biology and French. This is a unique opportunity to brush up on the language just before matriculation. In the afternoon we toured the historic Victorian complex of Ushaw College, along with the boarding school. And now the icing on the cake, which we still find hard to believe, for a week we were able to feel like Hogwarts students and live in this incredible building full of secret doors, chapels, libraries.
The second day of mobility in England brought many unforgettable impressions. First thing in the morning, students of our school took part in a history lesson on the impact of democracy on the formation of human and civil rights. Then the partners from Greece led a discussion on the correlation between democracy and respect for human rights, especially in the context of minorities and refugees. During the break we had the opportunity to participate in a forestry workshop. It’s unbelievable that in preparation for final exams English students have a stay in a nearby forest on their timetable, just like that. We spent the afternoon at the National Glass Center in Sunderland, attending a craft show and a glass design workshop. We still had time to enjoy the contemporary art exhibition. But the biggest attraction awaited us in the evening – 40,000 fans, the Stadium of Light and an unforgettable England Championship match, traditionally in the rain. We cheered for the red and white, of course.
On Wednesday we participated in a school cooking workshop, and our task was to bake scones – traditional English buns. After school, we took part in an amazing history lesson at the world-famous cathedral where scenes of the Harry Potter films were filmed. During the filming of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” Durham Cathedral was transformed into Hogwarts Castle. In reality, the cathedral impressed us even more than in the movie.
Thursday was another amazing day – active, sporty, at times even athletic… walking uphill in strong winds is quite a challenge. But, who but us? A full-day excursion along the ancient Hadrian’s Wall, which was the northern border of the Roman Empire, beyond which there were only barbarians and impassable cold spaces. After a nearly two-hour walk, we reached the footsteps of the Romans to a fort dating back to 124, where legionaries guarded the northwestern border of the Empire for nearly 300 years. History from centuries ago written in stone spoke to us.
Mobility in England within the framework of the Erasmus plus project “Human Rights” is another lesson where everyone agrees that the United Nations General Assembly’s announcement of July 28, 2022 stating that every person in the world has the right to a healthy environment is an important step in countering the alarming decline of the natural world. The protection and promotion of culture is another human rights imperative. The right to participate in cultural life guarantees everyone access to, participation in and enjoyment of culture and cultural heritage. Project participants are another group of young people ready to change our world for the better.
Special thanks go to Mr. James Potter of the Durham Federation for his wonderful hospitality and organization of our stay in England.
See you in November in Turkey.
